HUNDREDS of families across the region have learnt that their children have missed out on a place at their chosen secondary school.

And in Middlesbrough more than 100 children have been left devastated to discover they have not been found a secondary school place at all.

The news comes as local authorities across the region release the figures of the number of children who were given their first choice school.

Most authorities boasted of high success rates but Middlesbrough Council was faced with the prospect of informing anxious parents that all the places in the town were fully allocated following 'unprecedented' demand.

Andrea Williams, the council’s director of education, said: “We have unprecedented numbers of children requiring places in Middlesbrough schools which could not have been foreseen, and clearly this is a matter of considerable concern.

“We are working hard to resolve the situation, and I’m grateful to parents for their patience and understanding.”

Those affected are being advised by the council to seek places at schools in neighbouring boroughs, with many places currently available in Stockton and Redcar & Cleveland.

The council added that work is also being undertaken to increase capacity in Middlesbrough.

In County Durham 5,143 have been successfully placed into their first choice, which equates to 93.8 per cent. Overall 98.3 per cent of children have been placed in their first, second or third choice school.

Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “It is fantastic that the vast majority of children in County Durham will go to their first choice of secondary school in September.”

Of all North Yorkshire children who requested a school place, just over 95 per cent received an offer from one of their top three preferences of secondary school.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said: “We work with schools across the county to ensure they deliver the highest standards of education, and most of our secondary schools are good or outstanding so families can be confident of sending their children to top quality schools.”

The figures for schools across the borough of Darlington were unavailable but a council spokesman said: “There is a shortage nationally and local authorities have the opportunity to look at how best to address the issue in their area. Here in Darlington our local schools have been able to accommodate all pupils within existing facilities.”

In the Stockton Borough Council area almost 97 per cent of students were offered places at one of their first four choice schools.