THE dispute over the future of two schools - one in Tony Blair's constituency and one in Alan Milburn's - has descended into such a mess that it is in danger of getting completely out of control.

The bitterness over proposals for Hurworth and Eastbourne secondary schools was already running deep.

Now, with yet another new plan on the table, relationships between Darlington Borough Council, headteachers and parents have hit rock bottom.

The latest proposal in the long-running wrangle is to expand the successful Hurworth school by taking half the pupils from struggling Eastbourne. But how are those 300 pupils to be chosen? And what happens to the rest?

Council leader John Williams describes it as "educational cleansing by social class" - an allegation condemned as "offensive and abhorrent" by the headteachers supporting the new proposal.

In public relations terms, it has been a disaster from start to finish. Parents are confused and angry and the poor pupils are left wondering what the future holds.

There is so much suspicion, bad feeling, rivalry and basic slagging off going on behind the scenes that it is damaging the spirit of the town.

No one is emerging with any credit and it is hard to see a way forward while all the main players in this increasingly sad saga remain in place.