PLANS for a £1,400 sixth form study room have been thrown out by councillors who fear granting the scheme could set a "dangerous" precedent.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council's overview and scrutiny (environment and development) committee said the bid for the room at Stourport High School, made on its behalf by Stourport Town Centre Management Forum, was unacceptable for councillors to consider.

However, forum chairman Derek Fradgley was dismayed by the decision. He said: "This is a sad injustice to the students. They identified surplus accommodation and drew up plans for the room, including layout and costing.

"Even though they have the library facilities, the sixth formers need an exclusive study area."

The proposal had been put before the committee as one of four projects costing £7,400 for Stourport by the forum, which along with Kidderminster and Bewdley, is annually invited to bid for a share of £15,000 council funding for community schemes.

Committee chairman Councillor Fran Oborski said: "Surely the LEA and school governors should fund this.

"The council could find itself dangerously inundated with requests from Bewdley, Wolverley, Harry Cheshire and King Charles I high schools if we approve this."

Stourport High headteacher Liz Quinn said she was disappointed with the decision but was proud of the students, who represent the school on the forum over youth issues, for getting the bid this far.

Mr Fradgley added: "I have been told the LEA doesn't have the money for this and as Kidderminster and Bewdley have made no funding bids, I don't understand why the council could not help the school."

On a brighter note for the forum, the council approved its £1,000 idea to launch a Stourport website, which will offer information regarding the town, events and links to other relevant websites.

The forum's two other proposals for a youth shelter in a location yet to be decided and a tree-planting scheme in Lickhill Memorial Park, each costing £2,500, have been deferred while the council decides if it can accept projects outside the town centre.