England has a longstanding problem with youngsters dropping out of training

Latest figures, for 2003, show 49% in Thurrock and 44% in Salford opted out of school or vocational training.

Nationwide 334,300 17-year-olds (31%) were not in education or training.

The figures also reveal deep regional divides, with wealthier areas such as Richmond and Harrow recording 18% of 17-year-olds out of education.

HIGHEST DROP-OUT RATES Thurrock 49% Barking and Dagenham 45% Salford 44% Stoke on Trent 43% Barnsley 42%

The statistics, which were issued in response to a Parliamentary question from the Liberal Democrats, confirm England's poor international standing for staying-on rates in education.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ranks England's drop-out rates as among the worst among industrialised countries.

Regionally, the statistics show Yorkshire and the Humber had the highest rate of 17-year-olds not in full-time education or work-based training at 35%.

'Ashamed'

Outer London had the highest staying-on rate, with 27% of 17-year-olds having opted out of official learning.

LOWEST DROP-OUT RATES Harrow 18% Richmond upon Thames 18% East Riding of Yorkshire 21% Dorset 21% Hertfordshire 22% Windsor and Maidenhead 22%

In the East of England this figure stood at 31% and at 29% in the South West.

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, said the government "should be ashamed" that so many youngsters were dropping out of school.

"How dare Tony Blair boast about his record on education, when over 30% of 17-year-olds are not studying or training?" said Mr Davey.

"The fact this hits working class kids hardest should have caused the government to take this seriously.

"If Tony Blair wants to understand the root causes of anti-social behaviour, he should look no further than these figures - and then start to take some real action."

Mr Davey said lessons need to be made more relevant to young people and reiterated his party's backing for the curriculum reforms proposed by the Tomlinson committee.

Reform

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said the government had implemented a series of reforms, with a �2.5bn rise in funding for further education

"There are already 100,000 more 16 -18 learners in full time education than in 1997-98 and the number of young people on apprenticeships has trebled," said the spokesman.

"There is more to do. Our 14 -19 reforms are aimed at, among others, improving the range and quality of vocational qualifications on offer so that students will have more choice and options to keep them in the education system."

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was also encouraging young people to stay in education, he added.

The EMA is a weekly payment of �10, �20 or �30, paid directly to eligible young people who stay on in, or return to, further education after they reach the statutory school leaving age.