Private school fees have increased by 45 per cent in the last five years.

According to a survey, London and the south east are the most expensive areas for private education, with fees costing an average £11,400 a year. But in the North, fees cost just over £8,000.

The survey, by the Halifax, also found that workers in just 18 professions could now afford to educate their children privately.

Vets, teachers and engineers are among those unlikely to be able afford to send their child to private school.

It comes as the number of pupils at private schools rose by 5.6 per cent between 2001/2002 to 2006/2007, compared to the state sector, which saw a 3.4 per cent drop in students over the same period.

Martin Ellis, Chief Economist at Halifax Financial Services, said: "Private school fees have increased by significantly more than inflation over the past five years. This has made it increasingly difficult for the average worker in many occupations to afford a private school education for their offspring.

"It has, therefore, become increasingly vital that parents plan their finances as early as possible if they want private schooling for their children."

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