TEACHERS in Bolton are urging colleagues across Britain to follow their lead and ballot for strike action against Education Secretary Ruth Kelly's education reforms.

The call comes after the Bolton branch of the National Union of Teachers voted unanimously to ballot for industrial action against the Government White Paper Higher Standards: Better Schools for All.

And it follows a U-turn by the reform's most senior critic, deputy prime minister John Prescott, who is now backing the controversial plans, saying they modernise the principles of comprehensive education.

Barry Conway, secretary of Bolton's union branch said: "We have taken the lead on this. Other branches are in the process of passing resolutions but not as advanced as we are."

The move by local teachers, of which more than half are members of the NUT, puts added pressure on Ms Kelly, who is battling to get her White Paper made law.

The White Paper, published last year, proposed setting up schools independent of local authority control, allowing them more say over admissions and budgets. But more than 90 Labour MPs have criticised the plans.

Mr Conway said: "No teachers have been consulted and no parents, and there is no way of them getting involved in the debate.

"We will be going out talking to parents, holding public meetings explaining what the White Paper will do to the education system and what it will turn their children into.

"Many parents are confused about what the White Paper means and many believe it is just talk and nothing will happen. But it will make a huge difference to our education system."

The local branch of the NUT says schools will set their own admissions policy with those from the deprived areas being put through the school system to be trained to work for industry, while those from a privileged background will benefit from a wider curriculum and be able to reach their potential.

"Schools will become businesses," Mr Conway said.

The results of the ballot will be known in the next four to five weeks.

Mr Conway said: "We can defeat the White Paper. But even if the politicians pass it, the NUT is not going to roll over and accept it. We are sending out a strong message to Ruth Kelly."