Elizabeth Fish

The majority of children in Lincolnshire applying for September 2014 primary school places have got their first choice.

According to Lincolnshire County Council, the authority which manages admissions, 93.6% got their top choice despite an increase in requests for popular schools.

Parents can see their offer by visiting the County Council’s school admissions page.

This year, there were 7,649 children wanting a primary school place.

Of this number, 7157 (93.6%) received their first preference, compared to 6762 (92.3%) last year.

That means 291 got their second preference (3.8%), and only 1% third choice (just 75 children).

Another 126 children will be offered a place at a local school that was not one of their preferences — down from 132 last year.

If unhappy with a choice, parents have until May 20 to appeal the decision. If they appeal after this date, the appeal may not be heard until after September.

However, due to appeals and movement on the reserve list, it is likely the figure of children in their first choice will rise before the beginning of term.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted to see so many children getting their first school of preference and this should be even better by September.

“It is always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences.

“Every year the overwhelming majority of parents are successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.”

The West Cornwall Pasty Company shop in Cornhill in Lincoln has gone into administration, leading to a number of job loses in the city.

The national chain had severe financial difficulties and called in joint administrators David Chubb, Stuart Maddison and Robert Moran of PwC.

PwC managed to help the company save 34 of its stores nationally, selling them and assets to Enact, a private equity house, though the Lincoln store could not be saved.

Former footballer Danny Mills is one of the investors of the firm taking over the remaining shops.

Nationally, 94 jobs are set to be lost in the transition.

A note left on the door of the Lincoln shop.

David Chubb, joint administrator said: “The company was facing severe difficulties meeting its financial obligations as a result of a combination of factors, and having run out of alternative options, sought the protection of administration.

“Unfortunately, there will be redundancies and we are doing what we can to support these employees.

“This business sale has preserved the majority of jobs and provides some much needed stability for suppliers and employees.”