HUNDREDS of children across Hampshire will be taught in temporary classrooms to cope with a shortage of primary school places.

The county council is set to apply for planning permission for mobile units at 20 schools next September, including seven in Winchester district.

Parents were due to hold a meeting at Western School in Fulflood on Monday evening.

Figures in the county’s School Places Plan 2011-15 suggest an extra 1,206 reception places will be needed by 2016, excluding Southampton, which also has a shortfall.

The spiralling demand has been put down to a higher birth rate and house building. Public spending cuts have ruled out major school building.

Winchester primary schools earmarked for temporary rooms are: Winnall, All Saints in Highcliffe, Western in Fulflood, Harestock and St Peter’s Catholic.

For the full story, see this week's Hampshire Chronicle, in the shops until next Wednesday.