AROUND nine out of 10 North-East families have secured places for their children at their first choice of primary schools.

Local education authorities in the region out-performed many other parts of England in ensuring that most children will start their formal education at the school of their parents’ choice.

However, the statistics suggest there are wide differences around the country, with nearly one in five missing out on their first preference in some places.

In North Yorkshire, 94 per cent of applicants secured their school of choice and 93 per cent of applicants in County Durham, while 92.9 per cent of applicants in Middlesbrough got their first preference school.

Education authorities said 91.2 per cent of Hartlepool parents and 93.2 per cent of applicants in Stockton got their first choice school.

Darlington saw 89 per cent of parents getting their first choice school.

A continuing squeeze on places, particularly at primary level – fuelled in part by a rising birth rate combined with the effect of immigration - meant some parts of England struggled to accommodate every family’s first choice.

Initial results from a Press Association survey of town halls showed families in some areas were more likely to gain a place at their top choice than in others.

In Hertfordshire, the percentage getting their first choice school was only 81 per cent.

Pete Dwyer, corporate director for North Yorkshire County Council's children and young people’s service, said: “We are very pleased that so many of our families have once again been able to gain their first preference from their choice of schools.

“We wish all the children starting primary school in September all the best and hope they will enjoy their education in North Yorkshire’s schools.

"Working closely with head teachers we strive in all local schools to provide the very highest standards of teaching and learning.”

Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt, said the Tories decision to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayers money on a few free schools in areas where there are no shortages of places had led to a tripling of overcrowded “supersize classes.”

But a Conservative spokesman said Labour had cut 200,000 primary school places when they were in government and the Tories had created more than 400,000 school places since 2010.