MOST Hampshire pupils have got the secondary school places they wanted.

Hampshire County Council said that 98 per cent of parents applying for a Year 7 place for their child were offered a secondary school of their choice.

A total of 93.5 per cent received a place at their first preferred school.

However, this leaves nearly 900 parents not gaining a place at their first choice of school for their child.

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education, said: "I understand there will be some disappointment for those parents who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools, but every child whose parents applied for a place at a Hampshire secondary school, has been offered one. There are always individual schools with exceptionally high demand, which is a credit to the high standard of teaching at these schools."

Cllr Edgar said that it was a "significant achievement" to be able to offer a very high number of pupils a place at their preferred school considering the size of the county and increase in demand for school places.

A total of 13,467 on-time applications were received this year, which was up by more than 500 from last year.

Cllr Edgar said: "Pupil numbers continue to rise, and I am pleased to say that our investment in schools to provide the additional places is keeping pace, thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future."

Pupils who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools will be allocated a place at a school near to where they live, with available spaces.

Parents have the right to appeal and can put their child's name down on their preferred school's waiting list.

The admissions team is now busy processing primary school applications with offers due to go out to parents on April 18.