The percentage of seven-year-olds in the West mastering basic skills in English, maths, science and writing exceeds the national average.

Primary school assessments nationally show there was no improvement this year in the proportions reaching the standards expected of their age group.

In writing, 80 per cent of seven-year-olds are reaching the required standard, in reading the proportion is 84 per cent and in maths it is 90 per cent.

While in the West, the number of children reaching the required level in writing is 82 per cent, reading 86 per cent, maths 91 per cent and science 91 per cent.

In the West, Bath and North East Somerset and Somerset are top of the class, with nine in 10 pupils reaching the expected level in all four subjects.

They are followed by Dorset and Gloucestershire, with 89 per cent, and North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, with 88 per cent.

Wiltshire scored 86 per cent, Swindon, 84 per cent, and Bristol is bottom of the class with 83 per cent, below the national average of 86 per cent.

Although the region compared favourably with the rest of the nation, Yeovil MP David Laws warned that the little was being done to tackle poor reading and writing skills in younger children.

Mr Laws said: "Progress in tackling the problem of poor literacy and numeracy among our youngest children has stalled.

"Children who don't master basic skills at an early age risk falling even further behind in primary and secondary school.

"There must be a much greater focus on early identification of these problems and more one-to-one support for children with basic literacy and numeracy problems."

Nationally, the figures showed that in speaking and listening 87 per cent reached Level 2, and in science, 89 per cent.

The figures have remained static since 2006, except in writing, which dropped by one percentage point to 80 per cent between 2006 and 2007. Children's Minister Kevin Brennan said he was pleased with the results, but warned against complacency.

He said: "I congratulate schools and teachers who work hard to give children the best possible start to their education. I'm pleased high standards continue to be maintained but I want to see year-on-year improvements.

"Like teachers across the country, I have high expectations for all children.

"There are no quick fixes but more can be done, especially for children who are really struggling with basic literacy and numeracy, and for those children who, with a bit of help, could reach the next level up."

Girls are still outperforming boys in every area, according to the figures, with the starkest gap in writing skills.

While 86 per cent of girls achieved Level 2 in writing, for boys this figure was significantly lower, with 75 per cent attaining the same standard.

Fewer boys are achieving the expected level in speaking and listening, down to 83 per cent from 84 per cent last year.

And in reading 80 per cent of boys were judged to be on track for their age group, compared with 88 per cent of girls.