SOMERSET County Council has today vowed to increase pressure on the Government to rebuild ALL six of Bridgwater's secondary schools.

A High Court judge has ordered Education Secretary Michael Gove to reconsider his decision to axe Building Schools for the Future projects in six local authorities, although Somerset is not one of them.

The Mercury has reported how three of the six secondary schools in Bridgwater - Penrose, Haygrove, and East Bridgwater - saw immediate funding for a much-needed rebuild disappear when the BSF scheme was pulled.

But Cllr John Osman, county council cabinet member for children and young people, insists the ruling earlier today could prove a glimmer of hope for those three schools.

He told The Mercury: "I am sceptical if it means everything is back on but we will now start further consultations with the Government and show them the state of these schools in Bridgwater and work with them to get new facilities as soon as possible.

"It does look like there is a bit more light but we had never given up on the other three schools.

"It isn't the pot of gold but it is a step in the right direction."

After the ruling, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “We are delighted that the judge did not call into question the decision to end the wasteful and bureaucratic Building Schools for the Future programme.

“On the substantive points he concluded that it was a rational decision and that the authorities involved had no expectation of being allowed to proceed with their projects.”

The Government also said the ruling found the decision to axe the BSF programme was rational and the six local authorities which challenged the move had no legitimate expectation of receiving funding.

Mr Gove will now look again at his decision with regard to these authorities with an open mind, taking representations from them.

The spokesperson added: “The judge set out, however, that 'the final decision on any project still rests with him and… no one should gain false hope from this decision'.”

Pick up Tuesday's Mercury for more on this story.