UNCERTAINTY over funding for schools refurbishment in Wyre Forest has spread to primary schools.

Future improvements set to be delivered as part of a capital investment programme being carried out by Worcestershire County Council for primary schools in the district have temporarily been put on hold.

The decision to halt the programme, which has already seen £50 million in capital spend being injected into Wyre Forest schools since 2005, comes as a result of increased pressures on capital spending, according to county council chiefs.

Since the programme started, there have been increasing pressures on capital spending, with the county council now currently having to reconsider overall spending and cash flow.

Colin Weeden, head of raising achievement and access to learning for Worcestershire County Council, said: "In light of recent national announcements, we are uncertain as to what future capital funding will be available to the county council from next year and, as a result of this, have been left with no other choice but to review our current position.

"We are disappointed to be in this difficult situation but it is important that any future work is temporarily put on hold until clearer indications are given surrounding future capital spending allocations.

"We are hopeful we will be in a position to clarify which schemes can proceed in the near future and will know more about the delivery of the remaining planned work at the end of the year."

All major schemes in Bewdley scheduled as part of the programme have been completed, with a large number also being carried out in Stourport and Kidderminster.

The programme has also seen two new schools being created in Kidderminster - Sutton Park Primary School and Birchen Coppice Primary School.

Work carried out as part of the programme to date has included building permanent classrooms in place of temporary units, internal remodelling and refurbishment work and complete new builds.

Primary schools which have already had their schemes largely completed or are near to completion are Birchen Coppice, Foley Park, St Mary' s, Sutton Park, St Bartholomews, Hartlebury, Bayton, Far Forest, St Annes, Upper Areley and Bewdley.