Hertfordshire County Council has reassured families hoping to send their children to a free school whose opening has been delayed that no child will be left without a school place.

Harperbury Free School announced earlier this week it has been forced to delay its opening until September 2015 after the Department of Education failed to find it a permanent site.

The school was about to send acceptance letters to 194 families living in Radlett, Borehamwood, Shenley and Elstree.

Hertfordshire County Council has reassured parents the delay in opening the free school will not affect the admissions process in 2014.

A spokesman said all applicants to Harperbury Free School had been advised to apply for other Hertfordshire secondary schools at the same time, meaning the delay should not lead to any child being without a school place.

She added: “If any parents have not made an application to the county council for a Year 7 place for September they should do so now.

"Although their application will be late a school place will still be offered prior to the start of the autumn term.”

The council has not yet made allocations for September, but offers will go out as planned on March 3.