THURROCK council's decision to create an additional classroom for twenty-six children in Chafford Hundred Primary School has backfired.

Of ten children who applied and were accepted at the school, only six actually live in Chafford Hundred!

How can Thurrock Council justify the spending of £250,000 towards the creation of this class when it is not being fully utilised?

Is this why residents of Chafford Hundred pay council tax?

Crime is on the increase in the area and isn't it logical that tax-payers money could have been better utilised?

The fact is that there are many vacant school places in the borough, already a waste of resource.

Despite this, the council then proceeded to create a completely new class in Chafford Hundred Primary School and have created even more vacant school places when they should be reducing them.

The council succumbed to the pressure of a minority group and gave little or no thought to the matter. The councillors who voted for this matter must think before they act in the future.

Chafford Hundred Primary School was already over-subscribed and these additional children have definitely put a lot of pressure on the school.

Children at the school had to forego their after-school clubs; they lost their music room; their playing area has been reduced; P.E. lessons have been affected; they have less time to eat at lunch-time. They have been deprived of a quality education.

And all these were done for the six children from Chafford Hundred. What happened to the other 20 children that campaigned for places?

The campaigners specifically asked for an extra classroom to be created and the council responded accordingly. Chafford School for Chafford Children' campaigners have made a mockery of the Council and education system.

Or was this one couple's selfish and self-gratifying action to get their child into one of the best schools in the borough?

They have their child in the school now and will have no regrets whatsoever but my three children have now been deprived of a quality education.

They must be really proud of themselves.

Councillors should take note - a last minute, poorly thought out short term solution has not benefited them in any way. Instead of putting the resources towards a long term solution, the money, in essence has been flushed down the toilet!

Upset Parent, Hedingham Road, Chafford Hundred.