THE DEMAND for places at Tutshill's successful Church of England primary school is starting a cross border dispute.
For as Wales prepares to go to the polls to elect its own "parliament" children from Chepstow are crossing over to England to be taught at Tutshill.
It has angered parents Graham and Emma Williams, who live at The Martins, Tutshill, but have been told they cannot send their eldest child, Benjamin, to the school.
"It does seem to be stretching the point when a child can come to Tutshill from Chepstow yet there is no place for our son," said Mrs Williams.
The situation, she says, has arisen because of a Local Education Authority rule which enables the brothers and sisters of children already at the school to follow them.
"This year there are a high number of siblings from outside the area who under the rule are entitled to go to school at Tutshill, but it means there is no place for Benjamin. There are, I believe, nine siblings coming from Gwent," she said.
Benjamin has been offered a place at his nearest school, Offa's Meade, Sedbury, or the option of travelling to St Briavels, Woolaston or Chepstow.
"It is very difficult for us to accept the policy as Tutshill was our first choice and the family who lived in this house before us sent their children to Tutshill," said Mrs Williams.
For the LEA Mr David Howarth said the siblings rule automatically entitled siblings to a school place.
"It is something that regularly happens close to county borders. There are many cases of children from Gloucestershire attending schools in Oxfordshire or Hereford shire," he said.
Mr Howarth stressed that Benjamin's refusal was not necessarily the end of the case.
"I would strongly urge Mr and Mrs Williams to consider the option of an appeal," he said.
Mr and Mrs Williams are contacting Forest of Dean MP Diana Organ to seek her support.