THE number of children applying for places at two struggling Darlington schools has dropped dramatically.

Just 65 primary school pupils and their parents put Eastbourne Comprehensive down as their first choice of secondary school - despite it having 155 vacancies come September.

At Branksome, on the other side of town, just 88 children wanted a place in September, but the school has 141 spaces.

Branksome was placed in in special measures more than a year ago, meaning it is deemed as failing by school inspectors.

Last year, 116 children and parents put Branksome Comprehensive as their first choice school. This year that had fallen by almost a quarter, so year seven could be 38 per cent empty in September.

Last year, there were 90 first choice applications for places at Eastbourne School.

But after a year in which the future of Eastbourne Comprehensive was uncertain - as council bosses unveiled plans to turn it into an academy - that had fallen by more than a quarter.

This would mean year seven at the school could be 58 per cent empty in September.

Hummersknott School and Language College received the highest number of applications - 303 for 245 places.

Despite being threatened with closure earlier this year, Hurworth School Maths and Computing College received 155 applications for 125 spaces.

In March, the school was told it would not be merged with Eastbourne as part of the plan for an academy in Darlington.

Ian Holme, who was one of the parents who fought successfully against Hurworth's closure, said: "Given the experience of the past 12 months, it is very reassuring to see that the school's popularity has been unaffected, with parents keen to demonstrate their faith in the school's long-term future."

Carmel RC Technology College had 215 applications for 180 places.

The Education Village in Haughton received 153 applications for 180 spaces.

And Longfield Comprehensive had 163 applications for 180 places.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "Eastbourne School will have a new headteacher from September and is part of exciting plans for an academy, while Branksome School is making good progress and has a clear plan of action for further improvement."