Furious parents are appealing against a decision which has left their children unable to get a place at a village school.

St Lawrence Primary School, the only primary in Hurstpierpoint, has had to turn away 12 village youngsters because, for the first time, it is oversubscribed.

More than 70 children applied for the two first-year classes, which can each take 30 pupils.

Despite a 500-signature petition, pleas for an extra teacher and additional funding have been rejected by the local education authority, West Sussex County Council.

Instead, the authority has ruled the youngsters will have to go to Albourne Primary School in Hassocks, two miles away.

The children all live within Hurstpierpoint's parish boundary, entitling them to a place at the school. Headteacher Paul Dyer said there was still hope as the LEA's decision could be overturned by an independent appeal panel.

Mr Dyer said: "The village has always been hugely supportive of the school and we are a close community, which is very important to us.

"But I'm now in the very embarrassing situation of having to turn children away. It's a very emotive topic and I am caught in the middle."

There is a waiting list at the school and last week one child was given a place when another dropped out.

Mr Dyer said: "It's a tie-break system worked out by the LEA whereby the children living closest get the places.

"Children living more than 620 metres beyond the school cannot get in. It's ridiculous."

One parent said: "I know several who cannot get their children in but they are scared to stick their necks out when the appeal process is still going on."

Mid Sussex district councillor Susanna Kemp said part of the problem was new development in the area.

She said: "It's a real problem. The village is already suffering from new developments and there are at least two projects - one with 14 homes and one with 11 - being looked at now.

"Central government tells us we need to build more houses but the amount of money to support services has been cut.

"The county council is desperate. It would love to give more money but it just isn't there."

A spokeswoman for the county council, said: "Every parent is entitled to appeal an LEA decision. That appeal will be looked at by an independent board and is final."

Howard Flight, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: "A degree of flexibility in class sizes needs to be tolerated.

"The number of children may vary and sometimes be above or below 30 per class, especially in rural areas.

"This needs to be catered for and children should not have the inconvenience of having to travel to school.

"I regard the present activity of the Government as scandalous. West Sussex has effectively had its education funding cut, gobbled up by factors such as extra pay.

"Children want, and should be able, to go to school with their friends from the community."