A DRAMA teacher whose job was axed on Wednesday was told on Monday he wasn't getting the redundancy deal he thought he was getting.

The Performing Arts Development Service (PADS) on Grove Street has changed its name to Barnsley Music Service this week and the drama and dance staff have been made redundant.

In January Chris Rooke, who is also the director of Barnsley Youth Theatre, was told to expect access to his pension early and a lump sum.

Chris, 50, said he understood the deal was generous, and was not formally agreed, but decided not to fight for his job because of it.

He said what had been 'put on the table' would allow him to continue directing the Barnsley Youth Theatre group which would remain at the centre in the evenings, and it would give him a safety net to establish himself as a freelance performing arts teacher and consultant during the day.

But on Monday, two days before his job disappeared, he was told he would not have this offer. He was first warned he would not get it two weeks earlier.

He said: "I do feel I've been treated quite badly. I've told the kids I'll continue running the Youth Theatre as long as I can, but I now need to find a job, probably in a school, so I might not be able to continue then."

Full story in this week's Chronicle