A defiant mum has said she would rather go to court rather than see her daughter end up in the wrong school.

Sharon Money's daughter, Karlene, 11, suffers from co-ordination and speech difficulties and a below average intelligence.

A medical specialist has warned she may not cope in a comprehensive school. But the Education authority is insisting she goes to Colbayns School in Clacton when she starts at secondary school next term.

Mrs Money, of Dudley Road, Clacton, said she had been granted leave to appeal but not until October - after the start of term.

Mrs Money said: "I don't care what I have to do. She will not go to that school. I will even keep her at home and go to court."

In a report to the education department's education psychologist, Essex Rivers Healthcare's consultant community paediatrician Dr Alan Robinson stated he agreed with the parents that Karlene might be better in a more protective environment.

He said: "She may sink in the large comprehensive school where the demands of finding her way round and the wider curriculum may be too much for her."

He added she was already "suffering significant peer group difficulties".

Mr and Mrs Money were told tests carried out at her present school, Alton Park, showed Karlene had a reading age of eight years five months and a spelling age of seven years five months.

But the education authority maintains children at these levels were not generally considered for placement in special schools.

Mr and Mrs Money had wanted Karlene to go to Market Field School in Elmstead Market which caters for children with moderate learning difficulties.

But the education authority claims this is unsuitable for her needs and "not be compatible with the efficient use of resources."

Essex County Council said a major new plan to improve the education for children with special needs has just been unveiled.

Education spokesman Mike Barnett said it was considered that with a lot of support the education authority felt Karlene could do well with a place at Colbayns. He said there was no possibility of moving the tribunal date forward.

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