NINE out of ten children were offered a place at their first choice primary school.

Of the 16,000 children receiving offers in Essex last week, 88.13 per cent were given their first choice - down from 89.3 per cent last year.

A further 7.12 per cent were offered their second preference, meaning 95.25 per cent have been offered either their first or second preference and 98.22 per cent one of their choices.

This represent the highest overall net preference figures in Essex's history.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We remain committed to ensuring young people in Essex receive the best possible education and I am delighted we have again been able to offer the vast majority of children their preferred place this year.

“The achievement is testimony to our strong track record of investing in new school places, as well as the hard work of admissions staff, schools and those involved in planning expansions.

“With about 94 per cent of the county’s primary schools currently rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted, compared with a national average of 90 per cent, there is certainly plenty of encouraging news for parents, pupils and schools in Essex.”