EXCLUSIVE: PARENTS are being asked to plug a financial shortfall at an Old Basing school.

Last Friday, children took home letters from St Mary's Junior School, in Belle Vue Road, Old Basing, asking parents to voluntarily contribute £10 a term, starting in September. The letter also asked parents for an additional £40 a term to cover music lessons.

Gillian Peer, chairwoman of the school governors, said she did not want to discuss the school's finances in detail, but added: "There is a funding problem with schools across the country. We are not doing anything other schools haven't considered.

"If funding was sufficient it wouldn't be necessary for schools to take such measures. It's not something the governing body takes lightly."

* Read the full story in The Gazette on Friday.