A PETITION signed by more than 4,500 people calling for the abolition of VAT on school uniforms is to be handed to the Chancellor fo the Exchequer today.

Clitheroe-based firm Trutex has collected the signatures as part of its campaign to get the government to change its policy on all uniforms bearing a school badge or insignia.

Currently, all school uniforms for pupils aged under 14 in primary and middle schools qualify for zero-rating on tax on school garments.

For secondary schools, uniforms are subject to full 17.5 per cent VAT on all garments above the standard size of a child aged 14 years.

The Taylor Street firm, which supplies more than 400 retailers nationwide, believes that the rules penalises parents with children at secondary schools which need larger sizes.

To mark the handing over of the petition to Chancellor Alistair Darling, the firm has also published the findings of a survey which they say reveals that nine out of ten parents back the campaign.

Clare Rix, Trutex marketing director, said: "Our 4,500 strong petition and research findings clearly demonstrate that VAT on schoolwear is a big issue, and one that is receiving growing support from parents, schools and the schoolwear industry as a whole.

"If the government really is serious about reducing the cost of school uniform for parents, then this is an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate their intensions".

"As a schoolwear supplier, we have driven this campaign in an attempt to make school uniform more affordable for parents and hope that it will go someway to support schools that are keen to create a strong identity and sense of pride by badging/branding specific products."

The treasury has previously said that it was trapped due to European legislation.

A spokesman said: "When we officially joined Europe in 1973, we were able to stipulate certain things that would have reduced or zero-rate tax, and one was children's clothes. At that time the limit was put at schoolwear up to 14 years and we cannot change those regulations without going through the European Commission.

The spokesman said that if a parent has a child under 14 needing larger sizes than standard, then retailers should be encouraged to apply to HM Revenue and Customs for a VAT exemption for the garments, which is perfectly valid.