A WINCHESTER primary school is in desperate need of investment after being ignored for years, a meeting heard.

Rain is leaking through the roof at Western Primary in Fulflood, the town forum was told.

Vicky Halliden, the chairman of the parent-teacher body, said other schools had received substantial capital schemes in recent years.

Mrs Halliden, a mother of two present and one future pupil, said: "There is a disparity of capital funding across Winchester primary schools. Western is one of the largest but has had very little capital funding in the last few years."

She said Weeke, St Bede, St Peter's, All Saints and most recently the new primary school at nearby Westgate School, the first all through schools for 4-16 year olds in Hampshire, had all had major investment.

Mrs Halliden said all Western, with 450 pupils, had received was an ugly temporary classroom on the school field.

"Rain leaks in, the playground is cracked, the carpets are cracked and the school has to stagger lunches because the hall is so small.

"Please consider more capital funding for a wonderful school. Its parents, children and staff deserve it. We are pleased with the school's education it is just the building itself."

The forum, made up of city councillors in the six city wards, said funding for schools is a Hampshire County Council matter.

But Cllr Eileen Berry said she would lobby for the school which her two grandchildren had attended.

Councillors asked whether Western had been approached to expand when the county council was seeking to provide another primary school several years ago.

Cllr Ian Tait, a former Western pupil, agreed the building is tired and needs investment.

Cllr Robert Sanders said St Faith's in St Cross had received county investment and was currently ranked ninth best primary school in England.