PARENTS of children due to start school in September 2013 only have until January 15 to apply for a reception place and Worcestershire County Council are reminding families to do this online.

Parents and carers are able to apply online for a child's school place 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For Worcestershire residents, all school places have to be applied for through Worcestershire County Council and each year parents get caught out by not applying before the closing date and potentially miss out on their preferred school.

To make an application, see worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions. The process is quick and easy to use and ensures applications are made on time.

For anyone who is not able to get online at home, Worcestershire County Council's libraries are available, with computers and staff ready to give a helping hand.