POPULAR primary schools have been earmarked for expansion to meet an "unprecedented" demand for places.

Gaskell Primary School in Bolton and SS Osmund and Andrew RC School in Breightmet have been put forward to take on extra pupil numbers in this academic year under another primary school building programme after the council successfully lobbied the department for education to release funding

Future plans include expanding Markland Hill Primary School in Heaton and Bolton St Catherine's Academy in 2019/2020, Gilnow Primary School, Deane, Moorgate Primary in 2020/21 or sooner if required.

The council is also exploring the expanding Walmsley CE Primary School "once the approved housebuilding has commenced at the Last Drop site".

The report comes just weeks after plans were approved to build a new primary school in Great Lever to accommodate 420 pupils.

Education chiefs says Bolton faces a demand for primary school places despite recent programmes to increase capacity.

Primary schools currently accommodate around 5,000 additional pupils than 10 years ago with demand coming from families moving into the area rather than rising birth rates, which have reduced and taken pressure off reception places.

A council report states: "Despite the creation of additional places, demand from new primary age pupils arriving in the borough, particularly through in-year admissions remains very high."

It adds: "Key Stage 2 class sizes of over 30 pupils is not uncommon and the continuing demand for a primary school place is placing pressure on Key Stage 1 where infant class sizes are required to be capped at no more than 30 pupils."

The lack of places means often families moving into Bolton cannot put their children in the same school and has resulted in some children not attending school because of the "challenges this creates for parents in safely getting their children to different schools".

Gaskell Primary would increase its admission number from 45 to 60 and SS Osmund and Andrew RC from 50 to 60.

Demand is said to be greater in the north and central ­— mainly in the Astley Bridge, Halliwell and Heaton ­— and the North East areas ­— mainly in the Breightmet, Tonge and the Haulgh areas ­— of the borough.

Schools were chosen on their popularity, success, the area as well as other factors.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We recently consulted with primary schools seeking expressions of interest to increase capacity. A report will be presented to Councillor Anne Cunliffe’s Children Services Executive Cabinet Member meeting next week presenting the results and seeking permission to develop proposals for a number of schools."