HILLINGDON Council says it is one of only nine boroughs in London not to have a problem with primary school places.

The London Councils, today (Monday) claimed 7,000 extra places are urgently needed across the capital in the next four years.

The rise in demand for places is being attributed to the increasing birth rate in London, with 21,000 more births in the past six years than have been predicted, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Despite this, Hillingdon insists it is well placed to cope with future demands, and already has plans in place to provide more school places in the coming years.

Chris Spencer, Director of Education and Children's Services, said: "Hillingdon Council plans the number of school places several years in advance and we are in the process of planning additional primary school places within the south of the borough.

"We look at all sorts of factors, including birth rate and families moving in and out of the borough, so we make sure there are enough school places for the borough's children."