THE parents of a Bromsgrove girl denied a place at a town school say they are unhappy with the way education chiefs handled their case.

Jon and Beth Harris wanted nine-year-old Amy to attend Aston Fields Middle School, in Drummond Road, where her brother, Oliver, studies.

The Hanbury First School pupil was denied entry because classes were over-subscribed and she lives in Lower Bentley -- just outside the school's catchment area.

Her parents, of Copyholt Lane, appealed to Worcestershire County Council, as the Local Education Authority (LEA), but were unsuccessful.

From September, Amy will make an eight-mile bus journey to Ridgeway Middle School, in Astwood Bank, Redditch, while 11-year-old Oliver, continues to travel two-miles to classes.

Mr and Mrs Harris are resigned to the fact that Amy will not attend their chosen school but say they are disgusted with the treatment they received from the LEA.

Mr Harris said: "We were misled about the criteria for appeals.

"It's been a distressing time for the family and I did not find the LEA supportive or caring.

"I wouldn't want other parents to go through this."

Mr Harris has written to a number of people voicing their concerns -- including Bromsgrove's Tory MP, Julie Kirkbride, and councillors on Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

A county council spokesman said: "We sympathise with the Harris family.

"At this stage we are unable to confirm whether the matter is being looked into but we would like to reassure Mr and Mrs Harris that we take their matters most seriously."