A Burnham-on-Crouch couple who have been fighting to get their daughter into a primary school in the town have been told that Southminster is considered 'local' for their four-year-old.

Lauren Swain and husband Nathan, who live in Green Lane, have been offered a place at Southminster primary School for daughter Hallie, who will also turn four in August. The little girl currently attends Treetops Pre-School, based on site at Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, Dunkirk Road, and in walking distance of her home.

Mr and Mrs Swain selected Burnham on Crouch Primary as their first choice, and St Mary's C of E Primary School on Marsh Road as their second choice. Both schools, however, have been oversubscribed for September 2021 Reception entry.

Lauren said that Hallie is a sensitive and shy child who will find the transition away from her friends very difficult.

In a letter sent to the parents on behalf of Maldon MP John Whittingdale, it is explained that Essex County Council has included Southminster Primary School within the same 'planning group' as the Burnham-on-Crouch primary schools - meaning that places at the Southminster school are considered 'local' for Burnham-on Crouch youngsters in legal terms - even though reaching the school from Burnham is not feasible on foot.

This in turn means that when it comes to school places, Burnham-on-Crouch is considered to have sufficient places, as there is spare capacity at Southminster - and therefore Essex County Council has no plans to provide further primary places because of this.

In the letter to Mrs Swain from Mr Whittingdale's office, Parliamentary assistant Will Crook explains: "I can only speculate that, due to the rural nature of the area, that the planning group for Burnham and Southminster is geographically larger than an urban area, where the population is more condensed."

Mr Crook adds: "Mr Whittingdale and I would always prefer to be able to resolve a constituent's problems successfully and will do as much as we can to bring about a positive result. I am afraid on this occasion, it appears that this may not be the case and we are sorry to send you a reply you will find disappointing.

"We will continue to engage with the council and local councillors to ensure that provision and capacity is maintained at local schools and that the concerns of constituents are heard at the highest levels."

Reacting to the letter, Mrs Swain said: "What I do struggle to understand is how they have grouped Southminster in with Burnham when it's over two miles away, a completely separate town and not accessible by foot.

"I also struggle to understand why they think its acceptable for a four-year-old child to be placed on a bus or taxi on their own to attend school when there's a school accessible by foot closer to their home."