Cumbria's MPs have reacted to news that more than 70 school leaders from across the county have signed an open letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond over school funding cuts.

One said the move should act as a "wake-up call" to the the Government ahead of next month's Autumn Budget.

Labour's John Woodcock was backed by Workington MP Sue Hayman and South Lakes MP Tim Farron, who said schools right across Cumbria are being hit hard by ongoing austerity cuts.

Conservative MP Trudy Harrison said she was due to meet with Schools Minister Nick Gibbs next week and funding would be top of the agenda, while Carlisle's John Stevenson played down the concerns, claiming the new funding formula would be positive for Cumbria.

School leaders across the county have taken the unprecedented step of writing a joint letter to the Chancellor, saying they are finding the current situation "untenable" and fear children will suffer.

More than 70 headteachers, senior governors and school business managers have added their names to the letter, which is the latest push by the Cumbria branch of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT).

Campaigners say that latest figures show Cumbria's schools will face a shortfall of £13.3m by 2020, the equivalent to a loss of £226 per pupil or the salaries of 272 teachers.

Furness MP Mr Woodcock said: "The fact that so many head teachers have taken this unprecedented step should act as a wake-up call to the Government about the severity of the funding crisis in our schools.

“I have been warning about staff cuts for some time and agree with the heads that the particular geographic challenges that we have in Cumbria need to be taken into account by the Government.

“I am glad that Cumbrian teachers are speaking with one voice, it is time for the Government to start listening.”

Labour's Mrs Hayman backed the headteachers' campaign, saying those in her area are incredibly concerned.

"A number of schools told me how worried they were about losing staff or cutting back on subjects which really concerns me.

"The schools minister told me so far schools haven't had to take cuts in the same way and now it was time for them to take their fair share of austerity. I think that is simply wrong - this is about our future," she said.

"What the Government doesn't do is look at the impact of the geography of Cumbria; it costs more to deliver services in rural areas.

"I've spoken to a number of headteachers, visited both primary and secondary schools and met with the union.

"There's a very consistent message coming across which fits with the concerns expressed in the letter to Philip Hammond."

Copeland's Conservative MP, who sits on the Education Select Committee, said she was taking local concerns to Government.

"I continue to work closely with local schools in Copeland and amplify their concerns to Ministers," she said.

"I am meeting School’s Minister, Nick Gibb MP, next week and funding will be the main focus of our discussion."

However Carlisle's Conservative MP, John Stevenson, believes plans to change the way funding is distributed will benefit schools in Cumbria.

He said: "I regularly meet headteachers and listen to their views.

"The Government will be introducing a new funding formula that outlines what schools will be receiving. If you look at that, then I think that it's good for Cumbria and in it there's something very positive."

However Mr Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said Cumbria is already seeing staff cuts and class sizes rise.

"The Government needs to start listening to the needs of teachers and children in our county," he said.

"The planned cutbacks will have a devastating effect on local schools, leading to teachers being made redundant and class sizes becoming bigger.

"In the South Lakes this summer we saw one school close and many other local heads have to lose teaching staff, merge classes and make other cuts.”

Mrs Hayman also hit out at Government plans to build new free schools and possibly grammar schools.

"We should be funding our existing schools before we're building new ones," she added.

The Government insists spending on education is at record levels.

Mr Hammond will unveil his Autumn Budget on November 22.