Hundreds more parents are applying for school places in Merton this year after national figures showed the borough's schools are the best in the country for progress.

A report produced by Merton Council revealed that the demand is also due to a rise in population and that there is an urgency to build a new secondary school to the borough.

Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah said there would be "serious implications" if there were delays in the opening of the new Harris Academy Wimbledon set to open on a temporary site in September 2018 at Whatley Avenue, Wimbledon.

She said: “Our state secondary schools are the best in the country for the progress young people make between 11 and 16 as confirmed in the recent government figures.

“Merton is a great place for families, so it is wonderful to see increasing numbers of parents wanting their children educated here."

The council has received 2,296 resident admissions applications for September 2018, which is 268 more than last year.

Harris Academy, a non-selective state secondary school for boys and girls, will move to a permanent new school building at High Path in September 2020.