WORCESTER'S MP says he will not be rebelling over Theresa May's grammar school revolution - despite it sparking fury among city headteachers.

Robin Walker has told the Worcester News he will be siding with the Government over the controversial selective school reforms when it comes to the vote.

It came after the Conservative, who is now a Brexit minister, admitted being lukewarm over the idea, saying his focus would remain on securing fairer school funding for Worcestershire.

In recent weeks Councillor Marc Bayliss, the cabinet member in charge of schools at Worcestershire County Council, has voiced his opposition to the shake-up.

Headteachers in the county, including several in Worcester, have also spoken of their unhappiness at the proposals.

Mr Walker, who The Guardian newspaper was speculating about as a possible rebel earlier this month, said he will not be going against the Government on it.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has also said the same, meaning Redditch's Karen Lumley is the only county parliamentarian set to try and block the changes.

Mr Walker said: "My top priority is fairer funding, and speaking to my colleagues in parliament that's a fairly widely shared view.

"That's certainly what I'll be focusing on when I contact the Education Secretary.

"From what I've seen on what's been set out on the grammar schools, clearly it will mean that option is there for some schools and I will be supporting the Government on it.

"Do we need wholesale disruption to the system in Worcester, no I don't think we do, but it's not something I will be going against the Government on.

"We've got very good schools and my focus is on making them even better, focusing on fairer funding."

Mrs Baldwin has also issued a defence of the legislation, saying it will "extend opportunity and choice".

She said: "In Worcestershire nine out of ten of the secondary schools are good or outstanding and parents in most areas can choose from a range of good schools for their children at secondary level.

"There may be parental demand in some areas for new schools, and I encourage people to take part in the consultation."

She said she was backing the new technical college proposals for the county, adding: "My top priority in education locally - and I know this is echoed by my Worcestershire colleagues - is that we deliver a fairer funding deal for our local schools."

Earlier this month worried secondary school heads in Worcester called Mrs May's idea "mad" and "potty".

A study released this week by the Education Policy Institute has found no evidence that "overall educational standards" would be improved by overturning the existing grammar school ban which New Labour introduced in 1998.

Under the PM's plans some places at grammar schools will be reserved for pupils from poorer backgrounds, with Mrs May arguing that it will give them a better chance to get on in life.