POLITICAL allies as they are, Tony Blair and Alan Milburn will not relish their neighbouring constituencies being locked in a bitter educational dispute which is creating national interest.

The Labour Party does not want the Prime Minister and one of his most trusted lieutenants to be seen to be opposing each other over the closure, merger, takeover - call it what you will - involving Hurworth and Eastbourne secondary schools in Darlington.

The proposal to remove Hurworth School from its rural location - in Mr Blair's constituency - is seen as a disaster for the village and local people understandably want their MP's support.

In stark contrast, the plan to knock down Eastbourne - in Mr Milburn's constituency - and send pupils to a new £20m school is excellent news as far as parents there are concerned.

Hurworth's MP might therefore be expected to support the villagers' fight to block the proposal, while Eastbourne's MP should presumably be all in favour of the move.

The Prime Minister's office has been made aware of the strength of feeling in Hurworth via telephone calls from The Northern Echo. He intends to discuss the situation with council leader John Williams soon.

Mr Milburn, meanwhile, has issued a statement which inevitably steers a diplomatic path between the two camps and fails to say whether he supports the proposal or not. Surely his constituents deserve to know.

But by voicing his support, he would be making life uncomfortable for the Prime Minister who is facing a march on Downing Street.

We look forward to the neighbouring MPs expanding on their views as the debate continues.