PEOPLE may be using family addresses to get their children into preferred schools according to one Northwick resident.

Peter Jones expressed his fears after becoming concerned about the over-subscription problem at Northwick Manor Primary.

We've previously reported how an extra class will be created at the school this year after Northwick was the most over-subscribed school in the county.

Parents living in the catchment were originally offered places across the city at Stanley Road Primary, Oasis Academy Warndon and Cherry Orchard Primary, in St Peter's.

Some of the parents queried whether checks were made into whether applicants lived where they said they did - and were told checks were not carried out as a matter of course but only where wrongdoing was suspected.

Mr Jones, of Parkland Road, Bevere, said he was worried about his grandson, who lives in Northwick and is due to start school in September 2017.

He said: "One of the reasons why it could be over-subscribed is because families not living in the area are using their relatives' postcodes to be able to get their children into Northwick Manor.

"I know of two families who have done it in the past.

"They live in Tolladine and their relatives live in Northwick catchment.

"If they are doing it there are other people doing it.

"It would be so unfair come the following September if he can't get in.

"It's wrong that my grandson might be asked to go to a school miles and miles from where we live.

"When I know of people who have actually done this it makes my blood boil because it's not fair."

Worcestershire County Council said address checks were not routine but done "as necessary."

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "As is common practice with the vast majority of local authorities across the country, checks into primary school admissions are conducted using a variety of existing council records and those of other agencies, as necessary.

"All claims of false information are treated very seriously.

"Although this has not been a significant problem in Worcestershire, investigations are carried out thoroughly and using a range of different sources of data.

"Where investigations find that applications have been made using a false or incorrect address, the offer of the school place is withdrawn.”

This year, 47 more families wanted places for their child at Northwick than were available including 30 living in the school's catchment area.