A MOBILE classroom to take on extra children left without a place at their local schools is to be installed at a Northwick school, it has been announced.

The Worcester News has been reporting on the campaign of a group of 16 families left furious after their children failed to secure places at any of their local three choices, Northwick, Claines and Perdiswell.

But in a victory for their campaign, the Worcester News has been told parents of children that are now able to be allocated a place at Northwick Manor Primary School, are to be notified within days.

Initially, parents had only been offered places at other schools, including in Warndon and Droitwich - a move criticised by the group who said the travel across the city was impractical.

And Worcestershire County Council has previously revealed that the reason behind the allocation problems was that Northwick was the most over-subscribed school in Worcestershire, and 2016 is a peak year for the amount of children starting primary/first school.

In a letter to parents of Northwick, headteacher Sian Williams said she recognised that there had been 30 children living in their catchment area who had not been offered a place - a situation she described as being "wrong".

In the letter Miss Williams wrote: "After much discussion, the governors have agreed we can accommodate an additional 30 pupils for this year only and we can still continue to provide a first class education for all.

"Northwick Manor and the heads and chairs of other local schools will be in discussions with the local authority over the following months, to discuss a solution to this long term problem."

The headteacher added the decision had "not been taken lightly", and assured parents they had agreed to the added intake for "this year – and only this year."

John Edwards, Worcestershire County Council's strategic commissioner for education and skills, said: "We're pleased Northwick has agreed to support the installation of a temporary classroom.

"This was an option considered to resolve the problem of oversubscription in this area, and enable parents to send their children to local schools.

"We are delighted to have reached this decision through working closely with schools, parents and the local community."

Worcester MP Robin Walker also welcomed the news.

"It is a very good school and I respect the headteacher and governors ability to make the right decision," the MP said.

"I want to help local schools to expand, I welcome any extra spaces for children. I will do everything I can to support them with the funding.

"An expansion of Northwich is only part of the solution - I will continue to push for a broader discussion on the options in the long term, including a possible new free school for Claines."