A CONSERVATIVE government would safeguard the future of Worcester's under-threat special needs schools, the party's annual conference in Bournemouth was told.

Shadow education secretary Tim Collins promised an end to the closure of special needs schools if the Tories get into power as part of a package to ensure the best schooling for every child.

Mr Collins pledged 600,000 extra school places to give more parents the opportunity to send their children to their first-choice school, promised headteachers greater powers, and greater freedom for the best schools to expand.

He added: "We will also focus on the most vulnerable - those with special needs.

"Some benefit from mainstream education, but many do not. So we must preserve diversity. I will issue an immediate order - no more closures of special schools."

Margaret Harper, the Conservatives' prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said the move would safeguard the future of Worcester schools such as Thornton House, Manor Park and Rose Hill.

She joined a march in April to save the schools, which are under threat because of the Government's policy of integrating special needs children into mainstream education.

"This diktat has come down from the Government and the county council has been forced into this and integrate them into the mainstream," she said.

"We understand some special needs children can be integrated into mainstream schools, but many need special schools, so we must have them for the children who need them.

"We will issue an order for special needs schools to remain open, and I'm delighted about that, because I don't want the schools in Worcester to be closed."

Mrs Harper also said that the Tories' pledge to boost police numbers by 40,000 would guarantee 633 for West Mercia police.

Tory leader Michael Howard announced a "war on crime" in his keynote speech to the party conference and said his party would strip away the red tape taking up officers' time.

Mrs Harper said: "I have been out with the police on a night shift in the city centre and when you actually see it for yourself it is amazing to see the amount of forms they have to fill out. It can take several hours when an officer should be out on the street."