Disappointed parents have called for answers after dozens of children in Bath will miss out on places at their nearest primary school.

Almost 140 youngsters applied for the 60 reception places at Newbridge Primary School this year and an unusually high number of those already had brothers or sisters there.

This put them in a higher priority group than those living close to the school and the catchment area for children without siblings was reduced from a radius of 0.6 miles last year to 0.321 miles this year.

Instead, it is estimated that nearly 20 youngsters from Newbridge and Weston have been given places at Twerton Infants, which is so far away that at least one parent has been offered a council-funded taxi for her four-year-old to travel to and fro.

Matt Thrower had always thought his daughter Jasmine would follow the other children in their street and start her education at Newbridge.

He and his partner Rachel Wines were shocked to discover that, despite living just 0.43 miles from the Charmouth Road school, they had been allocated a place at their third choice, Oldfield Park Infants, which is further away.

Mr Thrower, who lives at Audley Grove, said the couple were starting to accept that their daughter would not be going to school with her friends from playgroup.

He said: "We were amazed at first, then angry, and now, I think we've reached a point of sad acceptance of the facts.

"It seems incredible that the current admissions policy can prevent so many children from going to their closest school.

"Going to your local community school just seemed like a safe assumption to make – but it isn't, even when you live relatively close.

"It seems that living outside the school gates is the only way to be sure."

Katharine and Alex Barrau, who live at Shaftesbury Avenue, also always assumed that Newbridge was their closest school.

They applied for a place for their son Oscar, with a second option of Weston All Saints Primary School.

In fact, their nearest school was put as Oldfield Park Infants, but because this was now full they got given a place at Twerton Infants.

Mrs Barrau, who has also has a two-year-old daughter Camille and another baby on the way, said: "We have become part of this community and when I found out it had a lovely local playgroup and school I was thrilled.

"I just assumed, until the morning I got my email, that was where my children were going to go."

Proposals to expand Newbridge in 2012 because of a mini baby boom have already been put before B&NES Council and parents now want to see that work brought forward to this September.

Councillor Andy Furse (Lib Dem, Kingsmead) said he had asked the council to look into the situation.

He said: "It is clear that the Conservative cabinet have not kept their eye on figures and have slept-walked into a situation now affecting 36 children unable to attend their local school.

"It's a disgrace affecting the education of these children and urgent action is required."

Newbridge head teacher John Croker said he was sorry for the situation but said it was now in the hands of the local authority.

He said: "We are very disappointed too because these are families who are in the Newbridge community and they live very close to the school. I just feel really sorry for them."

A spokeswoman for B&NES Council said all parents had the option to appeal against admissions decisions but added that there were no plans to provide additional places at any primary schools this year.