A COUNTY Durham couple have lost their fight to secure free school bus travel for their two young daughters.

The husband and wife, who have not been named, complained to the Ombudsman over Durham County Council's refusal to pay fares for the girls to travel to a Roman Catholic Comprehensive school.

Yesterday, Local Government Ombudsman Patricia Thomas found there had been no maladministration by the council.

The couple, who have five children, are Anglican and wanted to send their daughters to a denominational school.

However, the nearest Anglican school lies outside the county council's boundaries, meaning the girls would have had to make a 40-mile round trip each day.

The parents did not want their daughters to travel such a long way and opted instead to send them to the nearest Roman Catholic school.

But as the family were not Roman Catholic, the County Council's strict policy on travel expenses did not allow for payment.

Officers decided that as the couple chose to send their children to a school which was neither the nearest suitable establishment nor a school of their faith, they would not provide free transport.

The Ombudsman found there had been no maladministration by the council in its strict adherence to its policy.

Mrs Thomas did, however, suggest that the council should give some thought to a right of appeal in such cases or a review by members of the authority.

Her report also pointed out: "Whether the council has breached the children's human rights is a matter which can only be determined by the courts.'