TEENAGER David Green has spent months out of school because Sheldon and Hardenhuish in Chippenham were too full to take him.

Now the 15-year-old, who lives at Heathfield, about ten minutes' walk from the schools, will have transport laid on to take him the eight miles to George Ward School, Melksham.

But the five months he has spent out of school could prove devastating for his seven GCSE exams later in the year, and he faces the prospect of taking an extra year to catch up on coursework.

Parents Michael and Gillian Green are furious and said they had to ring, write and hassle the local education authority to get anything done.

"To say I'm angry is an understatement," said Mr Green, a builder. "I've been ringing at least once a week to find out what was happening."

The family moved to Chippenham from Marlborough, where David was a pupil at St John's School, at the end of April. They applied to Hardenhuish and Sheldon schools for a place at the beginning of May, but within a week were told both were full in Year 11.

The Greens tried to return David to St John's but his place had been taken.

They contacted the Education Welfare Service and were told David might receive some tuition.

But they were told later the rules had changed and David did not qualify for tuition because he did not have special educational needs and he had not been permanently excluded from a school.

Finally, on Tuesday, Mr and Mrs Green heard a place had been found for David at George Ward School.

"It's better than nothing," said David, who wants to be a motor technician. But he was concerned that he did not know anyone at the school.

Wiltshire County Council's chief education officer Bob Wolfson said the case was uncommon but he admitted more could arise in the next two years.

"Places are tight and have been tight," he said. That was why, he said, the council had built the new Abbeyfield school, although it is currently only taking pupils in the three youngest years.

Mr Wolfson added: "It would not normally take so long, and naturally we regret it. We would advise parents who are moving to make inquiries about school places before a move so matters can be resolved sooner."