Parents living in popular school catchment areas all over the country know they cannot rely on their first choice being agreed to but what do you do when you are told there is no chance of getting your child into your second - or third - choice of school either..?

REJECTED again. That is how Whiteley parents feel after finding out their children have been refused places into their second and third choice schools because of a spiralling space shortage crisis.

The Daily Echo reported how more than 20 children were turned away from oversubscribed Whiteley Primary School as their first choice back in December.

Now parents are running out of options as rejection letters from alternative schools landed on their doormats at the weekend.

County chiefs are in the middle of a consultation exercise in which the possibility of a new school is being discussed, but the scheme looks highly unlikely to win approval, according to a local councillor.

Steve Collinson, 32, of Camargue Close, who is trying to get his son a school place for next year, said the situation is worse than ever: "It's terrible. We applied to four schools and they are all full. Last year, when children didn't get into Whiteley they were at least able to get into Sarisbury Infant, but now even that is full."

Steve also received rejections from Locks Heath Infant and Park Gate Primary.

"We need to get our son into a local school in the catchment area so that his younger brother can go too.

"But if we can't do that then I think we are going to have to consider moving. It is gutting really," he said.

Richard Pereira, 36, of Angelica Way, who lives half a mile from Whiteley Primary, and can't get his son a place, said: "We haven't received a letter yet but I suspect our son has not got into our second choices as we know they are full. You can't help but take it personally, it's ludicrous."

Whiteley parents will submit an appeal against the decision not to allow their children into Whiteley Primary in Yew Tree Drive to the local education authority this week.

The crisis started in 2002, when 35 children were turned away. Parents' appeals were unsuccessful - but they had other schools to fall back on. This year, 27 children were turned away vying for 90 places in reception classes at Whiteley Primary.

Whiteley is one of the fastest-growing towns in Hampshire.

The population is between 8,000 to 8,000 residents, and with a further 350 homes due to be built in the next few years, bringing the total to 2,800 homes in Whiteley, that is inevitably going to put pressure on facilities, particularly schools.

The possibility of building a new school in the grounds of yet-to-be-built Whiteley Church in the village was considered back then but later dismissed.

Now Hampshire County Council's education authority has confirmed the only primary schools in the area that have places are St John the Baptist School and Titchfield Primary School, both of which are in Titchfield Common and a 15-mile round-trip from Whiteley.

There are 40 places available at St John the Baptist and eight at Titchfield Primary.

County council leader Ken Thornber told the Daily Echo that education chiefs had not closed the door on the possibility of building a new school.

He said: "I really do sympathise strongly with the parents and this situation disturbs me."

He added: "Our admissions team is working with the parents of those children who have been unsuccessful in securing a place at Whiteley Primary School and are offering places at alternative schools in the area.

"I am aware of the pressure on primary schools in the area and consultations will be taking place this term on the number of primary school places needed in the area.

"Parents are invited to contribute to this debate and all proposals and suggestions will be carefully considered."

Fareham council leader and Whiteley resident Sean Woodward thinks it is unlikely a new school will be built.

He explained that a Hampshire County Council report published last month stated that there was no suitable land available in Whiteley for a new school.

The report pointed out that if they were to build a new school, they would have to find a new site adjoining Whiteley, or they could use land partly allocated for a new church. It said it would be an extremely difficult option to achieve.

He said: "The county council report argues strongly against it. But, at the moment, the situation is worse than it has ever been.

"For the first time ever, Whiteley residents have been rejected from any school within a reasonable distance from their homes."

Whiteley Primary has 630 places for four-to-11-year-olds.