PLANS to fund places for underprivileged youngsters at Tony Blair's former school have been shelved after councillors had second thoughts.

In December, Sunderland City Council announced a partnership with the fee-paying Choristers School, in Durham, enabling two Sunderland boys to study there.

It involved the authority and the school each paying half the tuition and boarding fees for up to five years, depending on their ages. Sunderland City Council would have given up to £45,000.

The scheme was devised to enable the chosen youngsters to benefit from singing regularly at Durham Cathedral.

It was also proposed that half the Choristers' pupils should visit up to eight selected Sunderland primary schools to help them rehearse for a concert at the cathedral.

A report prepared for a cabinet meeting recommended the partnership be approved.

But following a meeting of the council's ruling Labour group, the report was withdrawn from the agenda.

Council leader Bob Symonds said it was inappropriate to spend taxpayers' money on private education.

He said: "The matter was never discussed by the Labour group meeting on Monday, other than for the portfolio holder asking for the report to be deferred for further information."

The school made no comment.