The borough’s head of education has played down suggestions that places at Esher College could be restricted for Richmond teenagers as “scaremongering”.

Richmond Conservatives said applications to the college for entry in September 2011 from borough students would not be considered until after Elmbridge students - who were being “guaranteed” places.

Councillor David Marlow, Richmond Conservatives’ deputy leader, said: “Some 20 per cent of borough students currently go to Esher and any change would have a serious reduction of choice for young people.”

Coun Marlow said there would be 500 more students looking for post-16 education in the next few years and with no sixth forms in borough schools and Richmond College set to reduce student numbers there could be problems.

But Councillor Malcolm Eady, Richmond Council cabinet member for education and children’s services, said the new process was “very similar” to one used for entry this year except there was a two-stage process and Elmbridge youngsters were “guaranteed” places rather than being given “preferential” treatment.

He added: “This is yet another of the scaremongering tactics employed by the Conservatives during this election campaign.

“My estimate is that the changes will result either in a small reduction, or none at all, in the number of Richmond’s young people going to Esher College in September 2011 compared to 2010.

“A meeting has been arranged for after the election between Richmond, Surrey and the college to discuss the changes.”