As thousands of pupils returned to their studies, education chiefs pledged class sizes will begin to fall.

Record primary class sizes were disclosed in official figures which revealed more than 1.4 million children in classes of more than 30 - up from 1.3 million last year.

There was an increase, too, in the number of five, six and seven-year-olds in oversized classes - the age range where the Government has pledged there will be none by 2001.

Before the summer vacation, almost a third of York's infant and primary school pupils were in classes of more than 30.

Ten and 11-year-olds at Lord Deramore's Primary School, Heslington, face being taught in a class of nearly 40 this year because of its growing popularity.

Speaking as many pupils returned to school after their summer vacations, Richard Wyborn, education planning officer for the City of York Council, said a Government cash injection of £150,000, plus some of the £750,000 set aside by the council for education earlier this year, was being used to employ 10 new teachers.

And he pledged the Government's key manifesto pledge would be met by 2001.

"It will have to be," said Mr Wyborn. "It is not an issue."

see COMMENT ' Smaller class sizes a priority'

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