School children will be taking a petition to Downing Street on Monday as part of a county council campaign to get fair funding.

The petition has been signed by primary and secondary school headteachers from across Wiltshire and asks for increased funding for the county to benefit all services.

Keith Robinson, chief executive of Wiltshire County Council said: "Our budget has risen slightly over the last three years but it is not keeping pace with what Wiltshire people expect and need. We can make gradual improvements on the current level of funding, but we now need a step change to make a real difference. We want to invest in our schools."

Schools across west Wiltshire have been gathering names on petitions.

Stephen Bicknell, headteacher of St Michael's primary school in Melksham said the school was supporting the campaign by the county council.

"Things get tougher every year. This year we are running on a deficit budget and are struggling to make ends meet. If we had the same funding per child as some other counties, then we would not be running on a deficit," said Mr Bicknell.

He is asking parents to support the countywide campaign.

The petition will be delivered by Anne Orme, chairman of the Wiltshire's headteacher forum and Colerne headteacher. Wiltshire schools will be joined by schools across the country.

Dr Pam Stoate, headteacher of George Ward School, in Melksham, said more cash would make a huge difference to her pupils although the school had been lucky to receive government funding for its special technology status.

Dr Stoate said: "One problem is that people regard Wiltshire as an affluent county and it isn't. Every pupil in Melksham could do with more money."

Nigel Gilhespy, headteacher of Matravers School in Westbury said: "The situation is very clear when Wiltshire compares the the money it gets from the government with that received by other local authorities. Wiltshire does not fare well."