A MOTHER has criticised the way a school has been forced to stage a fundraising drive for money to refurbish its dilapidated toilets.

Sharon Scott, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said it was "appalling" that her seven-year-old son, Callum, had to take part in a sponsored walk yesterday, for work which she said should be funded by the Government or local council.

Vane Road Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, has to raise £6,000 to continue with a refurbishment programme for its 40-year-old toilets.

Ms Scott, 35, of Joicey Place, said: "I don't mind raising money for the school if it's going to help the children with their education, such as buying new books or computers.

"But as for refurbishing the toilets, the council or the Government should be paying for things like that.

"I think it's quite appalling that children have to walk around Newton Aycliffe so they can have decent toilets."

The headteacher of the school, Sue Collier, declined to comment yesterday.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said schools now received money for capital projects such as the toilet refurbishment directly from the Government.

He said the school had decided to undertake a scheme that was costing more than it had been allocated and had to make up the shortfall.

The school had made a further bid for Government funds, which involved raising money itself, he said.