Fewer primary school pupils will get a place at their parents’ first choice school in September – with the council blaming a big increase in applications.

This year, there have been 193 more requests for primary school places in Buckinghamshire, with the county council saying a record number of 5,346 have received their chosen school.

But first choice allocations are down from 85.2 per cent last year to 84.2 per cent, with councillors saying the figures were inevitable following the sharp rise.

Parents will find out over the next few days if they received their first choice school, with letters and emails sent out today.

Mike Appleyard, BCC’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: "I am delighted that so many children are getting a place in one of the primary schools for which they had a preference, although I do acknowledge that not everybody was able to get their first choice.

"Many of our schools are very popular and, like all authorities in England, it is just not possible for us to give everyone a place at their first preference school.

“I know that all our schools put their pupils first and do their utmost to give them the best possible education.”

He added that with people moving in and out of the county and parents accepting places elsewhere, the full picture will not be known until school starts in September.