Councillor Meri O'Connell, Liberal Democrat candidate for Reading West, is part of a campaign to inject much-needed funds into Reading and West Berkshire

Councillor Meri O'Connell, candidate for Reading West, is bidding to depose Alok Sharma MP by drawing attention to budget pressures, primarily in education.

The Tilehurst councillor criticised Sharma in a letter back in March after The Wren School was forced to ask parents for voluntary contributions to fund everyday items.

The letter read: "My fear is that if parents pay these ‘voluntary contributions’ and plug the funding gaps, the government will say their cuts are not impacting on children’s education and so they are legitimate.

"I'm happy to spend money at school fairs or take part in the monthly fundraising. I do all that because I want to support my children's education and to help pay for extras that fall outside what the government might provide. Not the basics."

Mary Sandell announced her resignation in February and is due to stand down as head of The Forest School at the end of the academic year.

The 59-year-old told her pupils: "I did not enter the teaching profession to make cuts that narrow the curriculum, or to reduce the number of teachers and increase class sizes, and yet my hand has been forced."

Cllr O'Connell added: "Under the Conservatives, funding per pupil is set to see the biggest cuts in a generation, while billions of pounds are being spent on divisive plans to expand grammars and free schools.

"Children in our area are being taught in overcrowded classes by overworked teachers and support staff.

"Head teachers are juggling ever diminishing resources in attempts to limit the damage cuts are having on our children's educations, but Theresa May doesn't care.

"I'm really proud that my party plans to reverse the crippling Conservative cuts to school budgets and invest to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed."

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will invest £29,018,656 in Reading and £28,953,046 in West Berkshire in schools and colleges over the next parliament.