Medway is to receive more than £9m to keep up with growing demand for school places.

The Capital Grant Funding earmarked for 2017/18 is the largest amount Medway has ever received to spend on additional school places.

The money help tackle the issue of Medway's increasing birth rate placing more pressure on primary school places.

Last year had the highest number of births on record for the Towns – 3,517 – and the rate is going up the quickest in Chatham.

A recent report to the council's children and young people overview and scrutiny committee, warned 595 children will have no primary school place by September 2016 if nothing is done.

The allocation of £9,050.168 announced for 2017/18 is around £7 million more than amounts allocated for this year (£2,237,275) and next (£2,349,139).

The Capital Grant Funding is allocated in line with authorities’ school capacity surveys, which give a projection of the number school places needed in future years.

The £9m allocated to Medway will ensure the progress of the next phase of school expansion projects.

There are plans to expand Elaine Primary School in Strood and Woodlands in Gillingham.

Bligh Infant and Junior Schools and St Thomas of Canterbury School are also being considered for later expansion.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, in charge of education, said: “This money for 2017/18 will allow us to really achieve the goals set out in the School Organisation Plan and provide essential school places for our local young people.”