Parents in Dorset are being urged to apply for their child's school place with just three weeks to go until the deadline.

Mums and dads across the county are being reminded that the deadline to apply for a secondary or upper school place for their child for September 2019 is October 31 2018.

To date, Dorset County Council has received 2,376 applications for secondary and upper schools, but many children have yet to have an application submitted for them.

Cllr Andrew Parry, cabinet member for education, learning and skills, said: "It is of paramount importance that any parent wanting their child to be offered a place at a preferred secondary or upper school applies by the October 31 deadline.

"It is regrettable that any applications received after this date won’t be considered until the late round in February, so please don’t take the risk of leaving it too late."

The deadline for middle, junior and reception places is January 15 2019.

Information, including an online application form, is available at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/schooladmissions, or families can call 01305 221060 for an application pack to be sent out in the post.