Roman Catholic pupils are being turned away from a church school unless they have a reference letter from a priest.

A "severe shortage" of places has meant headteacher of St Benedict's RC School in Colchester, Alan Whelan, has had to tighten the requirements for entry.

"We just don't have the space for nominal Catholics and brothers and sisters of pupils this year.

"Now 100 per cent of pupils coming in have to already attend church every Sunday, and must have a letter signed by their parish priest to prove it.

"We cannot take on children from other churches any more and have upset a lot of parents," he said.

Mr Whelan issued a warning almost a year ago that a high number of primary school Catholics, who moved into the area as housing developments were completed, would be moving up to his classes soon.

He wanted Essex County Council to up the 162 places currently open, to cope with the estimated 60 students generated by the housing growth.

As the only Roman Catholic secondary school in Colchester the next nearest is Chelmsford the extra pupils, on top of the average 250 applicants, have meant disappointed pupils and parents.

Mr Whelan has hit out at the council for not addressing the issue, but a council spokesman said spaces were not a problem.

"We would not look at extra funding for new places while there is room at other secondary schools in Colchester," he said.

Published Tuesday, March 19, 2002