HEADTEACHERS and governors grilled education minister Stephen Twigg over poor funding for Swindon schools during a telephone conference.

They questioned him on a number of educational issues ranging from teacher morale, special needs schools, schools coming out of special measures and discipline in schools.

But the most pressing issue was the cuts to the town's education budget under new Government spending plans.

The conference was organised by South Swindon MP Julia Drown.

As part of its spending review the Government has drawn up four spending options and Swindon misses out in all four losing between £650,000 to £2 million from its annual budget of £152 million.

However, local educators want the government to consider a fifth option which would not penalise the town for being prosperous.

Paul Kohn, headteacher of Liden Primary School, said: "It was a very positive meeting. He certainly listened and it raised one minister's awareness about the poor funding for Swindon schools.

"I asked about option five because the four options are not adequate. Swindon is one of the worst-funded unitary authorities simply because we've got full employment and very few free school meals."