SCHOOLS in Worcestershire will share an extra £5m over the next two years in a bid to prevent another cash crisis - but head teachers say it is not enough.

Several schools in the county, one of the worst funded in Britain, are already severely cash-strapped, with many of them having no choice but to lose teachers.

The Government has found a total of £800m in "unspent reserves" to be paid to education authorities in 2004/5 and 2005/6, but schools say this will do little to alleviate their problems now.

"It sounds like a substantial amount of money, but when you consider it's for the whole of Worcestershire, it's difficult to get excited by it," said Elaine Huntington, head of Flyford Flavel First School.

"We have already had to lose half a teacher and, in a school with just six staff, that's an awful lot.

"Any money is certainly welcome but we need a lot more."

Alun Williams, head of Worcester's Nunnery Wood High School, said lack of funding was stopping schools from progressing.

"We're having to lose members of staff and tighten our belts," he said.

"The core provision of education is very strong but there isn't the money to pay for new initiatives or ideas that would take education forward.

"I can't see this £5m making much of a difference."

Clive Corbett, head of Pershore High School, said the lack of funds in Worcestershire could also mean another rise in council tax.

"Unless we get the same sort of money from central government as similar counties there will always be a problem.

"And if we don't get this then, unless we have a significant rise in council tax, we will find ourselves in serious difficulties.

"This latest amount may sound a lot but when you think about it, it isn't nearly enough."

Mid Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff agreed the cash should not detract from the arguments for local schools to receive a better funding deal.

"The problem will remain that Worcestershire's schools are valued less than in other areas," he said.