An 11-year-old has been denied a place at his parents' preferred secondary school because they live 100 metres too far away.

Calum Knight's family has always lived in the same house and, between them, his three older brothers have spent 15 years at Blatchington Mill School in Hove.

But Calum, due to start secondary school in September, has been given a place at Hove Park School.

Now he is at the centre of a dispute over admissions and his angry parents Madeleine and Kevin are refusing to back down.

Most of Calum's classmates from Somerhill Junior School will be going to Blatchington Mill.

The Knights' home in Langdale Road, Hove, was part of the school's catchment area until September 2004 when a controversial admissions process was introduced.

Calum was denied a place at Blatchington Mill, his first choice, because the house is now 100 metres outside the school's catchment area.

Mrs Knight said: "It's just so unfair. He's seen all his friends get places there but not him. He's been very upset about it."

His brothers aged 16 and 19 and 25-year-old step-brother have all attended Blatchington Mill.

Brighton and Hove City Council ordinarily gives priority places to children who have siblings at a school. Because Calum's brother Lloyd has just taken his GCSEs and will shortly leave, Mrs Knight has been told the rule does not apply.

She was also informed the rule would not apply even if Lloyd chose to stay at the school for sixth form, which he is considering.

It is likely Calum's brother Liam, nine, will get a place at Blatchington Mill because he has special needs and would have a higher priority.

Mrs Knight said: "All the boys have gone to Blatchington Mill. Our family has been involved with the school for 15 years. Why does Calum have to miss out?"

She has appealed unsuccessfully against the decision and is investigating whether she can appeal again. She has prepared documents to send to an independent ombudsman as she was unhappy with the way the council handled the case.

The Knights have the backing of Hove MP Celia Barlow, who has written to the local education authority. A council spokeswoman said: "We understand Mrs Knight is unhappy with the outcome of her appeal but the national code of practice for school admissions appeals states the decision reached is final and cannot be revisited in the same academic year unless a material change in circumstances has occurred."

The council is reviewing the admissions procedure. The last public meeting on the issue is at Hove Town Hall today at 5.30pm.