A desperate mum has pleaded for help after her triplets were allocated places in two different primary schools four miles apart.

Julia Perkins wants sons Noah, Oliver and Benjamin, who are four-years-old, to start at the same school in September.

However, despite Benjamin being offered a place at Notley Green Primary School, Mrs Perkins and husband, Daniel, have been told Noah and Oliver must go to Cressing Primary School.

Although she has been told she can appeal, Mrs Perkins is worried without a decision soon, Oliver, who has additional educational needs, will suffer.

She said: “An early resolution to this is needed so that support can be put in place as early as possible.

“He has physical delays, significant speech delay, behavioural difficulties and is still unable to be toilet trained.

“Whilst these details in themselves are not grounds for the school selection, a quick resolution to this appeal is needed as his speech and language therapist, paediatrician and area Senco have all advised that we need to start getting plans in place to prepare him and the school for his admission as soon as possible.”

According to the Twins and Multiple Births Association and the Government’s Schools Admissions Code, triplets should not be split up between primary schools against their will.

Mrs Perkins, of Stilemans Wood, Braintree, said: “I cannot be in two places at once.

“With the time it is going to take me to get between schools I won’t be able to support the additional needs Oliver has.”

Essex County Council said it does not decide on admission at academies like Notley Green Primary School.

A spokesman said: “While we try our hardest to satisfy parents’ preferences. It is not always possible and that is also true of cases where the needs of one or more siblings are sometimes more complex.

“We would, however, be happy to advise Mrs Perkins on the options open to the family and the appeals process as a whole”.

UPDATE: The three triplets have now been allocated places at Notley Green Primary School.

Headteacher Claire Russell said Essex County Council allocates places on behalf of the school and it was not made aware of the situation.