A CAMPAIGN hoping to get a secondary school built in a village has come under the national spotlight.

Parents in Knebworth are calling for a new school to cater for not just their children, but those living in Woolmer Green, Datchworth, Oaklands and Codicote.

And on Thursday, their plight was picked up by the BBC, and featured on the main 6pm and 10pm news programmes.

Nick Robinson, the BBC’s political editor, visited the village to speak to the campaign’s leader, Jules Pomerance.

Standing in a field where they want it built, the mum-of-three told him: “We need a new school here because parents aren’t getting their choices for schools in our local schools.”

The campaign faces a tall order to succeed, though.

County councillor Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills, said: “This is an innovative proposal, but as far as Hertfordshire County Council is concerned, addresses questions which we believe are a long way down the road.

“There are planning and funding issues which would need to be resolved.

“The county council believes the problem of places it is addressing will be met through the Building Schools for the Future programme and expanding and improving schools in Stevenage.”