THE number of students receiving a place at their preferred choice of primary school in Trafford has fallen.

The number of children being allocated a place at their first choice was down from 90 per cent last year to 87.1 per cent in 2015.

However, the number of students being placed at one of their top three choices increased.

Trafford Council's interim executive director of children, families and wellbeing, John Pearce, confirmed the authority had received a total of 3,017 on-time applications for primary school places.

That was an increase on last year’s figure of 2,841 – up 6.1 per cent.

Of these a higher number of pupils (2,885) secured a place at one of their first three choices compared to last year (2,772).

The percentage achieving first preference fell from 90 per cent to 87.1%

A Council spokesman said: “This was due to increased demand for places.

“However, this is still above the 2013 figure of 83 per cent, following a substantial investment in primary school places.”

The results given below show the proportion of four and five-year-olds who have secured a place at their first preference of primary school for September in other areas of Greater Manchester.

Wigan, 88.7 per cent.

Manchester, 87.3 per cent.

Oldham, 90 per cent.

Stockport, 90.58 per cent.

Bolton, 88.68 per cent.

Bury, 83 per cent.

Tameside, 87.96 per cent.