Less than one per cent of new starters did not receive one of their top three school choices.

Today is the day parents across the county dreaded, as Cumbria County Council's admissions team confirmed which school primary children had been allocated.

It revealed that of the 4,592 applicants resident in Cumbria, 97 per cent - or 4,466 - were offered a place at their first choice.

Just 0.8 per cent - equivalent to about 37 applicants - did not get one of their top three choices.

Figures were also revealed for the 987 applicants transferring to junior or primary school. Of those, 98.28 per cent were offered their first preference.

John Macilwraith, director of children’s services at Cumbria County Council, said: “It’s great news that the vast majority of pupils have secured a place at their first choice school.

"Cumbria is a fantastic place to grow up and an important part of that is ensuring children can attend the schools their parents and carers want them to go to.

“While most will be very pleased with the result of their applications, where places have been refused, applicants have the right of appeal to an independent admission appeal panel.”

Details of how to submit an appeal have been included with the notification letters.

Anyone who has changed their mind since requesting a school place is asked to contact the school admissions team either by emailing school.admissions@cumbria.gov.uk or calling 01228 221582.