Changes are planned for the way in which children are found places at schools following an inquiry into complaints.

Brighton and Hove City Council set up a scrutiny panel earlier this year chaired by Labour councillor Mo Marsh.

The nine-person panel, including three independent members, made ten recommendations for improvements.

One change would be to abolish giving parents first, second and third preferences in schools for their children.

Instead parents would be given just one preference and the report says: "This would be more realistic and significantly easier to explain and understand."

Few places are allocated to children on the basis of their second or third preferences at the moment.

The panel also recommended abolishing priority given to brothers or sisters of existing pupils at secondary schools.

Parents should also be given what the panel calls a 'reality check' in areas where there are oversubscribed schools.

They will be given the options available and the preference that is most likely to gain them an acceptable school.

Panel members felt part of the problem had been caused by some parents having unrealistic expectations.

Wherever possible, priority would always be given to children who live almost on top of schools.

The panel heard there were enough places in the city for children and most got their first preference school.

However, there were several primary schools which were oversubscribed and four secondary schools - Varndean, Dorothy Stringer, Blatchington Mill and Cardinal Newman.

The report says it is unlikely every parent would ever be satisfied by the process.

It says the process of allocating places should be as simple, fair and transparent as possible.

It states: "Parents and carers should be able to understand clearly the basis on which decisions are made."

Children should generally be allocated places near their homes and not have to make difficult journeys across the city.

Coun Marsh said: "We are confident the measures proposed will help to ensure a fair and equitable schools admission process for all the children of our city."