Twenty-six children were left without a primary school place for September after Camden Council made its allocations today.

The number represents one per cent of applications for places in the borough made by Camden residents.

Last year, nearly 100 children were left without a place after schools were allocated.

A spokesman said the number of children without a place will change daily as parents accept and reject offers.

Camden has suffered a squeeze on primary school places in the last three years despite the expansion of two West Hampstead primary schools since 2011.

But nearly nine in ten children ready to start school in September were given one of their top three preferences of primary school today - the highest figure in three years.

The number is up from 86pc last year.

Almost eight in ten children, 77pc, got their first preference of school, up from 73pc last year.

Places at Torriano Infant School, in Torriano Avenue, Kentish Town, were in highest demand while places at Primrose Hill Primary School, Eleanor Palmer School, in Tufnell Park, Emmanuel Church of England School, in West Hampstead, and Fitzjohn’s School, in Hampstead, were also highly sought after.

In all 2,313 applications were made to Camden Council by residents and non-residents, up from 2,216 last year.