GETTING your child into your first-choice school is not always as straightforward as you might think.

It's important to give yourself the best chance by stringently following the right admissions procedure.

For instance, you will need to apply for a primary school place well before your child reaches five. Many admit at four.

For secondary schools, you should apply before this Christmas for the school you want your child to go to in September 2003.

Admission is handled either by the local education authority - Blackburn with Darwen Council or Lancashire County Council, depending on where you live - or the school. If the school you choose deals with its own admissions you may have to apply there direct.

If you want your child to go to a school for which the LEA has responsibility - even if it is your second choice - you must fill in a local authority admission form.

If you don't, your child may not be allocated a place until all those who have stated their preference have been made an offer. It is then possible that your local school will be full.