Angry parents today claimed they have been barred from sending their children to the first, second and third schools of their choice.

Fourteen youngsters at Heene First School in Worthing have been affected by the West Sussex County Council ruling.

Families were already reeling after failing to gain places at the oversubscribed Thomas A'Becket Middle School in Tarring, Worthing.

Now they are furious at being turned down for other top middle schools near their homes.

They may now be forced to send their children to Downsbrook Middle School in Broadwater, a 40-minute walk from Heene.

Last year 15 children from Heene were not allocated places at Thomas A'Becket, the catchment area of which is currently being reviewed.

Councillor John Livermore, who represents Worthing West on the county council, said: "I am very concerned on behalf of the children involved. This surely cannot be right."

Borough Councillor Paul High, of Heene ward, claims families living south of the railway line, which splits the town in half, are being discriminated against.

He said: "It's outrageous. Children who live in the Heene area are being victimised."

Sarah Palmer, of Thorn Road, has a seven-year-old son called Harry who goes to Heene First School Disadvantage She said: "Fourteen children currently attending Heene First School heard they have been offered a middle school place outside their three stated options, my son included.

"It would appear that only pupils currently attending Heene First School have been affected in this way.

"This sends, in my opinion, a clear message from the local education authority that families residing in a certain geographic area of the town are at a significant disadvantage in comparison to other residents in the town in being given a choice over the education of their children.

"As a consequence families will be discouraged from settling in this area because of the middle school situation.

"This will in turn compound the problem of deprivation in Heene ward."

Heene First School refused to comment.

County council spokeswoman Sue Royal said: "Overall, there are sufficient places in Worthing middle schools for children across the town.

"All families have been offered a school place well within three miles walking distance of their home, which is within government guidelines for a child over eight."

Last week The Argus revealed the catchment area of Thomas A'Becket could be changed to limit the number of parents applying for places.

Children previously eligible for the 800-pupil school might now have to attend Orchards Middle School or Chesswood Middle School.

But a leading Worthing estate agent warned that parents falling outside the redrawn catchment area will lose at least £25,000 in the value of their homes.