MORE than 2,000 children in the Lancashire County Council area missed out on the first choice secondary school.

Out of 13,885 youngsters moving up from primary education 11,610 (83.6 per cent) will attend their first preference from September.

That leaves 2,275, almost one fifth, who will not go to their parents first choice secondary school.

Across the 12 boroughs of the county council area - including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale - parents ranked their first three preferences for their children's new school.

Of this 1,208 (8.7 per cent) won a place at the second choice secondary and 414 (three per cent) at their third choice.

The remaining 653 (4.7 per cent) have been allocated a place at schools other than one of the three family preferences.

Cllr Susie Charles, the county's cabinet member for schools, said: ""I'm pleased that 95.3 per cent of children will be getting one of their three preferences and 83.6 per cent have their first preference."

She added: "Importantly, every pupil whose application was received on time has been allocated a secondary school place."