Extra funding to help provide new primary school places in parts of England struggling with shortages is expected to be announced by the Government this week.

Rising birth rates and fewer parents opting for private education because of the recession are being blamed for increasing pressure on places - particularly for four and five-year-olds.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) said it was aware that some authorities were dealing with "unanticipated rises in demand" for reception places - and would be detailing support shortly.

This could involve providing funding worth tens of millions of pounds to help build and refurbish new classrooms, and expand schools.

Some areas in London and Birmingham are among those areas feeling the worst pressure for primary places.

The DCSF said: "It is clear that some simply did not plan for the rise in local birth rates, despite having four years to provide the extra places needed.

"But we accept others face exceptional rises in demand for new primary place through a range of local circumstances, which will put great pressures on their capital funding over the next two years.

"We have been working closely with individual authorities and representative bodies including London Councils, the Association of London Directors of Children's Services on how to assist those with the greatest needs - and we plan to set out the next steps in full to Parliament very shortly."

A report earlier this year by London Councils - which represents the capital's 33 local authorities - revealed a shortfall of 2,250 places this financial year.

That would rise to 18,300 by 2014, the report said, adding: "An urgent capital funding injection is needed."

A survey of local authorities last month suggested that one in 10 five-year-olds were missing out on their family's first choice of primary school.

It found that in Birmingham and Kent, which are among the largest local authorities, more than 1,600 had not been allocated a place at their first choice, meaning that around one in eight children in the areas were missing out.

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