I read with interest and some amusement your article printed in the Evening Advertiser, November 9, 'Places cut at six schools'.

As I live ten minutes walk away from Haydonleigh School I assumed my daughter, due to start in September 2003, would go there.

I went to register only to be told that our catchment area is Moredon and that no one who applied out of the catchment area to Haydonleigh has got in in the past two years.

Where are these surplus places? I would like the council to guarantee my daughter a place if there are so many. It would not be possible for us to walk to Moredon but we can walk to Haydonleigh.

I know the school situation in Swindon has taken on the appearance of a Monty Python farce but perhaps instead of spending thousands trying to get Swindon city status, the council should get the education problem sorted out first.

(Mrs) Rebecca Rutty

Coriander Way

Woodhall Park,

Swindon