Dr Marek says the schools funding row is out of control

The scheme to merge three secondary schools into two "super schools" has nearly doubled in cost.

Now Dr Marek, the Wrexham AM who won his seat as an independent after he was deselected by the local party, says his former colleague should stand down.

It was originally estimated that Wrexham Council's plan would cost �12m, but it has now risen to �22m.

Under the plans, pupils from three schools - Bryn Offa, St David's and the Groves - merged.

Resignation on this and many other matters is long overdue Conservative AM Mark Isherwood

The two new secondary schools, teaching nearly 2,500 children, will place a greater emphasis on vocational courses.

The original amount of money set aside for the project was found to be too small after it was revealed that the cost of inflation had not been built into the calculations.

However, Dr Marek said Ms Davidson knew the project's risks.

"If she has any integrity she should resign," he said.

"Jane Davidson must take her share of the blame, as minister she clearly did not do her job properly.

Calls have been made for Ms Davidson to resign before

"She told me there were serious shortcomings in the consultation process and it is now obvious that finance was not in place," he said.

However, Dr Marek denied claims that he wanted her to go because of his deselection.

"Even when I was a member of the Labour Party Jane Davidson would not discuss the situation with me," he added.

Dr Marek's call was backed by Conservative AM Mark Isherwood, who said she should also take responsibility for the poor GCSE results in Wrexham, the worst in Wales.

"Resignation on this and many other matters is long overdue," he said.

Last March Ms Davidson dismissed calls for her to resign after the education Elwa, a Welsh education funding body received heavy criticism over the way it managed its budget.

An assembly government spokesman would not comment on Dr Marek's call, and said the reorganisation of secondary education was a matter for the local authority.