THE government has given the green light for more free schools to open in England, including one to be built in Cumbria.

A total of 77 schools have been approved, while a further 42 have opened their doors for the first time this month.

The Cumbria Academy for Autism, which will be led by a group of local parents of autistic children is to be set up for children with autism aged four to 19.

Now that their school has approved, the group behind the school have indicated they will choose a location in either Copeland or Allerdale.

Education secretary Justine Greening said they would allow parents to "choose a place that really works for their child's talents and needs".

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A total of 429 free schools are now open - around two per cent of the total number of schools in England. Over half are based in the south, with 133 in London alone. A breakdown of the latest figures reveals there are 30 local authority areas in England with no free schools. They include places like Dudley in the West Midlands and Middlesbrough in the North East, both of which are among the areas with the lowest schools-to-pupils ratios in the country.

The news that 77 schools have been approved follows the announcement last week by prime minister Theresa May that a new wave of grammar and selective schools is to be allowed in England. Ms Greening said: "Our country needs more good school places for children.

"This next wave of free schools means more options for parents so they can choose a place that really works for their child's talents and needs.

"Alongside the reforms announced last week this will build on the progress that has seen 1.4 million more children in 'good' or 'outstanding' schools than in 2010.

"This will help deliver the true meritocracy the prime minister has pledged to create."

The government is aiming to open 500 new free schools by 2020.