FEARS over lack of secondary school places for children living in Ripon have been allayed by a North Yorkshire education chief.

When secondary education places were allocated in September, a number of Ripon pupils were offered places outside the city.

This was because, for the first time, Ripon College was oversubscribed.

Concern over places for Ripon pupils has led to a report on the situation by the county's corporate director of education Cynthia Welbourn to North Yorkshire County councillors.

Ms Welbourn said the problem occurred because of an increase in the number of children of school age, the popularity of Ripon College and a national change in admission procedures.

Ms Welbourn said for years Ripon College has had a surplus number of places.

"People in Ripon have become used to that situation. However, under the present head, the school has deservedly grown in popularity," she said.

Changes in admission procedures meant parents in selective areas such as Ripon found it difficult to adjust to the new system.

This was because parents, for the first time, had to complete their preference form before results of the selection procedure for Ripon Grammar School were known.

The grammar school uses the 11-plus examination to govern admission and parents were not allowed to amend their application after results were announced.

North Yorkshire council wrote objecting to the system being changed with a protest from David Curry, the Skipton and Ripon MP. But they were overruled by Whitehall.

Ms Welbourn said parents need to name the school at a high level to obtain a place.