Parents have reacted angrily after 100 places at a Putney school were offered to their children and then withdrawn just days later.

Elliot School in Pullman Gardens wrote to 98 parents stating their children could start there this September.

But a computer operator wrongly calculated the whereabouts of applicants' homes, and new letters were sent out explaining the offers had to be withdrawn.

Gary and Isabel Johnstone, from Clapham, received the first letter on March 4 offering their 11-year-old son Jimmy a place.

Mrs Johnstone said: "We were really pleased and I sent off the acceptance slip immediately. But on the Friday, (March 8) we got a letter saying it was a mistake.

"It really was a terrible experience, we felt completely powerless."

The family claim they now feel "in limbo" while they wait to see where Jimmy will get in.

He is on waiting lists at Graveney School, in Tooting, and at Dunraven School in the neighbouring borough of Lambeth.

Mrs Johnstone added: "We are meant to have a choice but there are not enough good schools."

Her husband said there were: "clearly problems with the admissions process.

"Applying for schools is like a lottery, and there is no proper information to guide parents through the labyrinth."

A statement issued to the Guardian by Elliot School read: "Due to a computer operator error, the distance of applicants' homes from the school, on which offers of places are made, were incorrect.

"Distance is a major factor in our admissions arrangements. In order to ensure that the admissions criteria were correctly applied, and after taking advice from the Town Hall, the process has been repeated."

Headteacher, Victor Burgess, added: "We very much regret this error and the distress it has caused. We have apologised to all concerned and we are very sorry that it has happened."