THE Mercury's Save Our Schools campaign has been re-ignited after the Government was ordered to reconsider scrapping funding for crumbling school buildings.

On Friday six local authorities won a High Court challenge against Education Secretary Michael Gove's decision to axe the Building Schools for the Future programme.

While the ruling did not reinstate any of the cancelled projects in the six local authority areas, which did not include Somerset, Mr Gove will look again at the decision with an “open mind”.

The Mercury has reported how three of the six schools set to be rebuilt in Bridgwater - Penrose, Haygrove, and East Bridgwater - lost their funding when the BSF scheme was pulled.

Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger believes the ruling means our campaign calling for ALL six BSF schools in the town to receive funding is back on.

He said: “I hope to meet Mr Gove and ask him, in the interest of fairness, to look again at Penrose, Haygrove and East Bridgwater.

“Mr Gove promised Bridgwater would be top of the list if there were any changes and I will make him honour that.”

Cllr John Osman, Somerset County Council cabinet member for children and young people, will now step up consultations with the Government.

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

Claire Wills, deputy head at Penrose, added: "I am hopeful and feel they should be successful in getting funding, but the children have been so let down and I don't want to get their hopes up again."

The Government warned no-one should gain false hope from the ruling.