CHILDREN in the borough have been given more than 97 per cent of their preferred primary school places for this year.

The figure has increased slightly from 97.7 per cent to 97.8 per cent in the last year.

Pupils have been given their first choice 91.4 per cent of the time- the same as 2017.

There were 5.1 per cent who had their second preference and 1.3 per cent of their third selection.

A total of 3,621 applications for children to start in September were made.

A figure of 81 children (2.3 per cent) did not have any of their three preferences met.

James Winterbottom, director of children’s services at Wigan Council, said: “We are so pleased that more than 97 per cent of children will be starting their school life in reception class this September at one of their preferred schools.

“We have a brilliant track record in Wigan borough for enabling children to get into the school of their choice and this is down to early planning to help meet demand.”