Potters Bar’s MP has said there is a surplus of primary school places in the town following a meeting with the leader of Hertfordshire County Council.

Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden met Cllr David Williams to discuss several education issues, including primary school provision in Potters Bar, after concerns over a shortage were raised by parents.

He said: “I was pleased to hear that there remains an overall surplus of places in the town and that there are plans to add additional capacity over the next few years should demand continue to grow.

“This will likely mean initially adding a new form to an existing school, or in the longer term, a new school being opened.”

Last year Potters Bar had the county’s worst rate for getting a ranked primary school allocation.

But a county council spokesman said that was down to parental preference, rather than a shortage, as large numbers picked the same few schools and avoided others.

•More: Potters Bar is Hertfordshire’s worst town for primary school allocations