FURTHER controversy has broken out over Darlington borough council's schools admission policy.

Parents are angered that despite being offered a choice of schools, the council appears to have disregarded their wishes.

One parent said he would risk going to jail rather than send his daughter to Eastbourne School.

Peter Jakeway, from Bank Top, chose Hurworth, Hummersknot and Haughton as his three choices, but he was dismayed when the council offered his ten-year-old daughter a place at Eastbourne.

He said: "There's no way in creation my daughter is going to Eastbourne School.

"The authorities threaten parents with jail if they keep their children out of school, but the way things are going, half the people I know are going to be in jail, myself included."

The backlash comes amid national plans to overhaul the admissions system.

Under proposals, applications will be made to all the parents' chosen schools simultaneously, not one at a time as is presently the case.

It is designed to give parents a fairer reflection of the options available to their child.

Teresa Merriott, from Great Burdon, was caught out by the present system after her son was denied a place at Hurworth School, despite his two older brothers attending the school.

She said: "I think it's absurd - it seems as though the council are using our children as human guinea pigs, boosting numbers in under-subscribed schools in an attempt to raise standards."

Parents of primary-aged children have also spoken out against the system.

Angela Williams, from Shelley Road, off Hundens Lane, hoped to send her daughter to the Education Village, Heathfield or Reid Street primary schools. The council offered her Red Hall.

She said: "Considering there are two schools within five minutes walking distance to me, I'm annoyed my daughter has been offered Red Hall because I don't drive.

"My daughter wants to go to school with her other friends. We don't know anyone who is going to Red Hall."

A council spokesman said strict criteria had to be observed during the admission process and as school places were filled, the council would offer parents the next best alternative.

Defending Eastbourne School, the spokesman added: "We have big plans for Eastbourne School. An improvement plan is underway and if proposals go through, the school will become an academy in September."