A PRIMARY school has been reduced to selling advertising space in order to try and fund essential repairs.

Carden Primary School in Brighton has applied for planning permission for advertising banners it has put up along it’s perimeter fencing.

The school said the revenue would be used to pay to replace the fencing which had become “dangerous and unfit for purpose” having failed to secure public money for the repairs.

Unions said the move was symptomatic of a crisis in school funding.

School staff said banners up to 30 metres long would be used to promote local banners and would not advertise any products deemed detrimental to children.

As well as paying for school repairs, funds will also be used towards extra-curricular activities for children.

The plans have been greeted with large support from residents with 26 letters of support sent to the council and just seven of objection.

Supporters said the move was a great way to promote local businesses while helping to provide resources for the school in difficult times.

Objectors have warned that the signs have proved distracting to motorists and could lead to an accident with one resident claiming drivers have driven through red lights while focusing on the adverts.

One objector described the posters as “eye sores” and warned they would set a precedent for every other school in the city.

School bosses said the banners would be spread out to avoid distracting motorists and would be reviewed regularly to ensure they are kept in good condition.

NUT’s Paul Shellard said: “There is a crisis in the funding of our schools.

“Schools are being inadequately funded and are being put in a position of deciding what they are going to cut simply because there isn’t enough money.

“If schools are having to go to desperate measures to make ends meet it just reflects that there needs to be greater funding.”

The school said they had difficulty in obtaining local authority funding for repairs but council officials said they had supported the County Oak Avenue school substantially in recent years but fencing repair was a national government requirement.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "Responsibility for paying for school fencing lies with schools, not the council.

"Schools receive money direct from the Department for Education for a number of premises related items, including fencing.

"Our commitment to Carden Primary can be seen in the more than £800,000 we have spent over the past two years on a wide variety of works at the school.

"These include repaving, replacement of the boiler plant, replacement of some areas of curtain walling, roof replacements and refurbishing toilets."

A decision on the application is expected at the end of the month.