Parents are joining forces to try to persuade the city council to tackle a shortage of school places in parts of Bristol.

Many families are unhappy at the idea of bussing four year olds to schools miles away and are urging the authority to find space for temporary classes closer to home.

The Post has revealed more than 300 children have not yet been allocated a school place, having failed to get in to the reception class at any one of their three chosen primaries.

The council has pledged every child will be offered a place as close as possible to where they live and that bus passes and "shared transport" will be provided as necessary.

Dozens of parents have written to the paper or posted on our website www. thisisbristol.co.uk to express their concerns.

It is thought 30-40 of the families affected live in the Bishopston area. Some of them are meeting this evening to decide on a united course of action, which is likely to include lobbying for extra classes.

The campaigners have been backed by Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West.

He said: "It is really disappointing that parents are faced with this situation for yet another year.

"The pressure on school places has been known about for many many years and the council should have come up with a long term solution before now."

The council said in a statement last week: "In the short term, we are working to increase capacity at a number of schools, mainly in central areas, so we can offer as many children as possible a school place close to their home."

But is said budgets and space were limited so it would not be able to cater for all the children.

In the medium term, the council hopes its review of primary education will help solve the problem.