THE help available to families to pay for school uniforms is shrinking dramatically, according to new research.

A Citizens Advice service survey shows that school clothing grants are now available in far fewer parts of Britain and are worth less than they were two years ago.

The charity says many families are facing real difficulties finding the money for uniforms and is calling for the Government to impose a statutory duty on local education authorities (LEAs) to provide uniform grants

The survey of all 172 LEAs in England and Wales found four in 10 (42 per cent) now offer no help at all to parents, compared with 30 per cent in 2001.