A new survey shows that West Berkshire spends almost £4,000 a year putting 5-11 year olds through local schools - the highest in the south east.

The GMB study revealed a typical annual spend in England of £2750 per primary age pupil, however neighbouring Reading's £1750 a year put the aspiring 'city' at the bottom of the table.

The startling anomalies even within the same county emerged as the government signalled it will scrap local education authorities, and let schools run themselves.

At the moment, West Berkshire Council is told by Whitehall what to spend on education, and in recent years has maintained school spending levels, making cuts to other services to balance the books.

GMB spokesman Justin Bowden said: "On June 30 2004, Michael Howard announced the Tory manifesto on education which would allow parents to choose where to spend the money from their local education authority.

"The Prime Minister seems to be suggesting schools should become free of local education authorities.

"Parents of school children around the country will want to know how all this is going to work out in practice, given the huge variation in spending per pupil demonstrated by the GMB study."