A record number of children in Norfolk will start primary school in September and nine out of ten have got their first choice place.

The county saw heightened competition for school places, with the 9,305 children who were seeking September spots setting a new record.

Of those 8,574 got their first choice – 92.1pc of youngsters. A further 396 (4.2pc) got their second choice, while 88 had to settle for third choice.

Last year 94.4pc of Norfolk parents were able to send their children to their preferred school.

Richard Snowden, head of the schools admissions service at the county council, said: 'This has been a record year for primary school admissions in the county with 302 more Norfolk children due to start school this September, compared with last year.

'Despite this, the vast majority of families have their first preference.

'Early forecasts suggest that this growth in pupil numbers is likely to continue for the foreseeable future and we are already planning for the years ahead.'

In Suffolk there were 7,928 applications – 296 more than last year. Of those, 90.21pc (7,152) of first choice preferences were met.

In Cambridgeshire, 90.13pc (6,501) children got their first choice of school, 477 (6.61pc) their second choice and 235 (3.26pc) their third choice. Twenty children were not offered school places.

Do you have an education story? Call Martin George on 01603 772468 or email martin.george@archant.co.uk