A new secondary school could be built in Clacton to deal with the increased demand for places.

That is just one of the options being considered in a bid to ease the crisis situation that the town's two high schools are finding themselves in.

Essex County Council officers and members have already staged talks with headteachers in the area about the overall supply for places.

But with predictions pointing towards a shortfall of around 1,000 in the near future, a new school could be on the cards.

John Clay, head at Clacton County High School, said he was oversubscribed in every single year group - but his governors continue to take all those in the catchment area regardless of the size of the class.

He added that should the numbers increase significantly that situation would have to be reviewed.

Nick Pavitt, head at Colbayns High in Clacton, recently revealed that he and his governors were having to turn pupils away.

He had major problems with oversubscription to year ten and there would be similar difficulties with year seven in the future.

The lack of places is due to be discussed at County Hall again on Monday.

Mr Clay said: "If the influx into the town continues, the birth rate holds and the number of new homes expected are built, then by 2003 then we could be 1,300 places short in Clacton and the surrounding area."

Clacton county councillor Roy Smith said: "Continuing to cram into the two schools will create difficulties in the long term and transporting children to Harwich would be crazy."

If my school continues to expand in this way we would be getting beyond the size we would wish for.

Mr Clay said another possibility would be the surplus of places in Harwich being used to take up some of the shortfall in Clacton.

He would be pressing for a new school site.

"I have already made a plea for one in the west of the town," he said.

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