Just under 90 per cent of parents across Hampshire have been offered a place for their child at their first choice school

Across the county just under 90 per cent of parents applying for a primary school place have been allocated a place at their chosen school for children aged four or five.

Meanwhile 97 per cent have been offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.

In Southampton, 85.4 per cent of children have gained a place at their parents' first choice for primary school.

Demand for school places is growing across the region and Hampshire County Council's admissions service processed more than 15,000 applications for 427 primary schools for this September.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said: “In the small number of cases where parents may not have secured a place for their child at a school of their choice, those parents have the right to appeal and can put their child's name down on their preferred school's waiting list.

“Places can become available if parents change their mind, or families move home.”

The figures are similar to last year when there were more than 14,000 applications for children starting primary school in September.

Last year 97.76 per cent of the county's children were offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.

The spokesman added they have expanded a number of schools across the county to provide more spaces for primary school education.

Education bosses are planning to invest £23 million into new schools and school expansions over the current financial year (2015/16).