The Westcountry has snubbed the Government's flagship education policy after it emerged none of the 16 'free schools' to open next year will be in the region.

In a written ministerial statement, Education Secretary Michael Gove said 16 proposals had been chosen to progress to the next stage of the process where they would be asked to develop a full business case and plan.

'Free' schools are outside council control and run by parents, teachers or charities, but teaching union NASUWT, said there was "no great clamour" for them.