Nearly 92 per cent of four-year-olds will be lining up in the playground at their preferred school in September.

Figures released by Lancashire County Council show that nearly 99 per cent of pupils have been successful with one of their top school preferences - with 91.47 per cent being accepted at their first choice primary school.

The figure for pupils going to their second choice is 5.83 per cent, while 1.44 per cent will attend their third preference school. The remaining 1.26 per cent of children have been allocated a place at other schools.

Lancashire County Council’s executive director for education and children’s services, Edwina Grant said: “This is an exciting but anxious time of year for parents, as they find out where their child will be starting school.

“Careful planning means that nearly 99 per cent of pupils have been allocated a place at one of the schools they preferred, with the majority getting a place at the school they wanted the most. Importantly, once again we’ve been able to offer every child in Lancashire a school place.

“School places are allocated fairly and objectively and every application is agreed upon using the criteria which have been agreed for that school.

“However, I know it can be very disappointing for parents if their child is one of the few who don’t get one of their preferences, and our local admissions teams will be happy to give information and advice.”

This year, 95 per cent of applications were completed online and a total of 12,854 children have received primary school place offers this.

Appeals are heard locally and will take place during the summer term.

From Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm, parents can call 0300 123 6707.