MP Bill Wiggin has praised Herefordshire council leader Roger Phillips for saving the county's schools from a "Government backed attack".

Mr Wiggin said he was furious to discover what was proposed under the council's draft schools review, and delighted at cllr Phillips' decision to recall it.

The review is aimed at addressing the problem of surplus places in schools, in line with Government demands.

Mr Wiggin said its recall was a victory for common sense.

"Councillors have asserted their control and ensured that people and their children are protected from hair brained Government initiatives," he said. "Typically the Government is offering money with strings attached. We need to see what good it will do and what the consequences are."

He added that he was backing all the excellent campaigns' by parents to protect their children's future.

"The reason Herefordshire schools turn out such great results is that they are supported by great parents who bring up their children to recognise that does more than educate, it empowers," he said.