THE Tory party has let down the children of Whiteley and should apologise, rival politicians have said.

The Lib Dems blasted their political opponents following revelations that the Conservative-ruled Winchester City Council has rejected plans to build a second primary school in the area.

Conservatives have hit back, blaming the Liberal Democrats for thwarting attempts to build a second school and sparking a political debate in the county over children services.

Plans for a second primary school in Whiteley were abandoned last week after authorities in Winchester refused to let the facility be built on land they own at Meadowside Recreation Ground HCC Lib Dem Cllr Brian Dash said: "Recent efforts to build a much needed new school have failed and the Tories only have themselves to blame.

"In 1998 the future need for two schools was recognised but the Tories decided to delay building the second school. It was a disastrous false economy and Whiteley children are paying the price.

"They should apologise to the people of Whiteley."

However leader of the Hampshire Conservatives, Councillor Ken Thornber, refuted the attack. He said: "We have absolutely no need to apologise.

"Throughout our attempts to build a new school we have been thwarted by a former Liberal Democrat city councillor, now leading the parish council, who has been garnering all the support he can get to oppose what we are doing.

"It is a tragedy that we were not able to get approval for the Meadowside site."