Hounslow faces an “education timebomb”, it has been claimed, after new figures showed the school places crisis has reached breaking point.

The London Councils report details an increasing shortfall between demand and capacity for places in primary schools, due to a potent combination of the baby boom and recession.

Hounslow is identified as having one of the highest population increases in London resulting from a baby boom. Birth rates have increased by 29 per cent since 2001 – and there are fears the education system simply cannot cope.

Councillor Paul Lynch, lead member for education at Hounslow Council, said: “We are at our wits end to find the money for school expansion.

“This is indeed an education timebomb.”

In addition, the report suggests that recession-hit parents are increasingly forced to make different choices for their children’s education.

Coun Lynch said: “The recession has had an effect on everything. People used to start a family in Hounslow and then move out of London, but they cannot afford to move anymore.”

The report also predicts that parents will choose to move children from the private to the public sector as a result of the recession.

“So far this has been a relatively minor aspect in Hounslow, although a private school in Surrey is closing, and that is near our borders,” added Coun Lynch.

Statistical projections suggest there will be a demand for 2,866 more places in Hounslow primary schools by September 2010.

A recent consultation for Hounslow Council examined schools that would be appropriate for expansion.

Lionel Primary School may gain an extra class to provide 30 more places for reception students by 2012.

A spokesman for the school said: “The school is delighted to be chosen, the need is here.

“This year we have been oversubscribed by 20 places and have had to fit in an extra afternoon nursery class.”

While primary schools remain a concern, the population explosion will affect secondary schools as the baby boom generation grow up.

Coun Lynch said: “We are planning expansion there too, but thankfully we have more time to consider that.”

The London Councils report projects that there will be reception place shortfalls of more than 18,300 across London by 2014. This year more than 2,250 children are without a reception place in the capital.

The report said: “London Councils believes the government has a duty to provide an emergency capital grant to cover the cost of providing additional classrooms.”

London Councils is lobbying for £740m to create additional classroom capacity over the next few years.