PLANS to fund places for underprivileged youngsters at Tony Blair's former school have been shelved, after councillors had second thoughts.

Last December, Sunderland City Council announced a partnership with the fee-paying Choristers School in Durham, enabling two Sunderland boys to study there.

It involved the authority and the school each paying half the youngsters' tuition and boarding fees for a maximum of five years, depending on their ages.

Sunderland council would have contributed up to £45,000.

The scheme was devised to enable the chosen youngsters to benefit from singing regularly at Durham Cathedral.

It was also proposed that half the Choristers pupils should visit up to eight selected Sunderland primary schools to help them rehearse for a concert at the cathedral.

A report prepared for last Wednesday's cabinet meeting recommended that the partnership be approved.

But following a meeting of the council's ruling Labour group, the previous Monday, the report was withdrawn from the meeting's agenda.

The withdrawn report stated: "Because of the commitment required of the cathedral choristers, it is necessary for them to be boarders at the Chorister School.

"At an individual level, the development of the partnership may give life-changing opportunities to two boys and their families.

"At school level, the development of the partnership will significantly raise the profile of singing in Sunderland primary schools and will provide opportunities for substantial musical enrichment."

Coun Bob Symonds, the council leader, denied rumours that members had objected to the partnership, claiming it was inappropriate to spend taxpayers' money on private education.

He said: "The matter was never discussed by the Labour group meeting on Monday, other than for the portfolio holder asking for the report to be deferred for further information."

The Choristers School declined to comment.