Fewer Sutton children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred schools this year amid a rise in applications. 

Some 95.9 per cent of children due to start classes in September secured one of their six preferences, down from 96.7 per cent last year.

Parents across the country learned today where their children would begin school in the autumn.

There were 2,711 applications for places in Sutton, up by 44 on 2015.

Of those, 83.2 per cent landed their first choice, slightly higher than the London average of 83 per cent.

Some 93.7 per cent of Sutton children were allocated a place at one of their top three primary schools.

Last year 84.1 per cent of the borough's pupils started school at their parents' first choice primary and 94.5 were accepted to one of their first three preferences.

All children were allocated a place.

Cllr Wendy Mathys, chair of the council's children, family and education committee, said: "We have worked together with our primary schools to ensure there are sufficient places for all our borough children.

"Parents can be assured that their children will receive a high standard of education from our borough primary schools, which are ranked third highest in England."

Wide variations in the rate of children securing a place at a preferred school emerged when figures were released today.

Did your child get into their first-choice school? Post a comment below or email letters@suttonguardian.co.uk