CAMPAIGNERS braved the rain to protest at the lack of secondary school facilities on a growing Teesside estate.

Parents and councillors demonstrated in Ingleby Barwick on Monday morning to draw attention to their fight for an extra school in the area.

Members of the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society (IBIS) arranged the protest to coincide with national Walk to School Week this week.

A total of 600 children have to be bussed to Yarm, Thornaby and Eagescliffe to school every day, as the estate's 600-place All Saints' School is full.

Campaigners believe funding should be provided for an extra school, or at the very least, a safe walking route should be provided to Yarm.

In November, a school bus broke down and children had to walk home at dusk along the dangerous Leven Bank, where there was no footpath.

Councillor David Harrington, spokesman for IBIS, said: "We find it totally unacceptable that a high number of schoolchildren cannot walk to school because safe routes simply don't exist."

Stockton Borough Council said it will consider a footpath along the route, but has ruled out an additional school.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, cabinet member for children, said the children were bussed to three of the best schools in the North-East and building another school in Ingleby Barwick would jeopardise those in Yarm, Eagelscliffe and Thornaby.