HEADTEACHERS in Leyland are hoping they will be top of the class after sending a desperate plea for funds to blind education secretary David Blunkett - written in Braille.

The angry primary school teachers were left fuming after being given minuscule budget rises.

But instead of moaning about the situation, they decided to put their complaint to the head of the Department for Education and Employment.

And the clever teachers are hoping the politician will give them an A for effort when their letter reaches Parliament, via South Ribble MP David Borrow.

Pam Calderbank, headteacher of Leyland Methodist Infant School in Canberra Road, said: "By writing the letter in Braille, we are almost certain to catch Mr Blunkett's attention because he is the only person there who can read Braille.

"But we think the issue is important enough to warrant his personal attention. We were under the impression that we would be given a budget rise of around six per cent. We got 1.5 per cent.

"Our junior school received just 2.5 per cent extra and as a result we have both had to make cuts.

"A nursery nurse, who is retiring in September, won't be replaced.

"I regret we have to rely on the PTA so much. They should be there to provide the extras, not essentials like computers."

Head at the junior section of the school, Michael Graham, added: "We want this letter to be delivered personally. We have had to postpone our rolling programme of replacing furniture."

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