PARENTS and teachers at a Worcester school are becoming frustrated waiting for a Government verdict on its future.

Residents in St John's are likely to have to wait until at least next summer for an outcome in the long-running "store wars" saga.

A public inquiry into the relocation of Christopher Whitehead High School to the outskirts of the city - a crucial element of Tesco's bid to build a supermarket on the school's current site - has been set for Tuesday, May 18.

But the inspector in charge of the inquiry, to be held at County Hall, is not likely to give his recommendation to deputy Prime Minister John Prescott until mid-July.

Mr Prescott's final verdict is expected around August.

Christopher Whitehead headteacher Neil Morris said parents and teachers were becoming frustrated with the time it was taking to find a resolution.

"It's been going on since 1999 and it's disappointing that it's taking so, so long. It's not helping the school - parents and teachers don't know where they stand," he said.

The two-week inquiry comes after Worcestershire County Council granted itself permission this February to relocate Chrissies to Earl's Court Farm, in Bromyard Road, Rushwick.

This was despite opposition from Worcester City Council and Malvern Hills District Council. Such major moves must be approved by the Government.

The £15m relocation would be funded by Tesco which wants to build a 35,750sq ft superstore on the school's current site, in Bromwich Road.

It had a planning application for the store rejected by the city council in July. Sainsbury's has received permission for a 26,000sq ft superstore in Swanpool Walk, adjacent to the school.

"We like the school where it is," said city council planning officer Peter Yates. "No-one is disputing that the buildings could be improved but the ideal outcome would be for the school to survive and thrive where it is."

Iain Paul, the county council's design and estates manager, said: "By asking for any judgement to be the outcome of a public inquiry, we have ensured everyone sees it as fair and impartial and therefore something everyone can accept."

St John's community group CHRISS will argue at the inquiry that the move will lead to increased traffic along the A44 and congestion in the city, according to spokesman Paul Saunders.

"We welcome the inquiry because it's an excellent opportunity for some independent scrutiny of the situation, which we haven't had so far," said Mr Saunders.