Children have been 'betrayed' by schools chiefs who have pulled the plug on their move to new buildings, parents claimed today.

Pupils at St Phillip's CE School in Girlington are now stuck with vandal-prone temporary buildings at Washington Street which were put up 18 years ago. Governors have been told there is no cash available for the brand new facilities they claim they were promised at Temple Bank School, Daisy Hill.

"We feel utterly betrayed," said Ruth Weston, a parent governor, "We feel angry at the way the LEA has treated us. We have waited 18 years."

Education chiefs claimed today the plans were scuppered because moving would leave too many children without a local school to attend and plans were advanced for a new school in Girlington instead.

The Ofsted report carried out on St Phillip's school in June was full of praise, but identified its "poor" accommodation as a problem. Governors say they were offered the option of moving to Temple Bank and sharing some facilities with the special school three years ago. They were excited because it meant more space for the 320 children in proper brick buildings and outdoor play areas.

It was felt sharing some facilities like a hall and canteen with the Temple Bank students would help both groups of pupils, and give the St Phillip's youngsters a deeper understanding of children with special needs.

By the summer, plans had been agreed and sent to the DfES for approval, Mrs Weston said. But they have now been devastated to find out the project has been cancelled.

"Now we are back where we started," she added.

Chair of governors, the Reverend Tony Tooby, said he learned the bad news in an e-mail from Phil Green, acting director of education.

Mr Tooby claimed the e-mail said funds had not been identified for the project: "I have only just got to the bottom of the financial issues," the e-mail said.

But in a statement to the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Green did not mention cash. He said: "The existing plans would have left significant numbers of children in the area without a place at a local school. A more suitable site has been identified for a new school within Girlington and negotiations are proceeding."

Mr Tooby said governors were protesting to the Council.