WORRIED councillors and parents campaigning for school transport for 20 children in a North Yorkshire village, are pressing for the issue to go before the county council's scrutiny committee.

The move follows strong support from the police, with criticism for the council's decision not to give pupils from the village of Wombleton, near Helmsley, a bus to get to Ryedale School.

The parish council has backed parents who fear for their children's safety because they have to either walk down narrow country lanes where there are no footpaths and steep verges, or make two crossings over the busy A170 Thirsk to Scarborough road.

Councillor Patrick Lane said: "There were glaring inaccuracies in the case put by the county council when the issue went before the appeals committee. The officer who visited Wombleton admitted that she did not even get out of her car."

"Both the routes the children have to use are unsafe and unacceptable. I fear it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident."

Now the police are supporting their case.

Sergeant Cliff Eden said "I think it is a disgrace that it is deemed safe for children to walk along narrow country roads. We are in favour of providing public transport for all children and we would support any application. Even with a parent accompanying a child it is not safe."

Sue Sharples, whose 13 year old daughter, Lauren, is one of those who has to walk to school, said: "We are distressed that the county council has attached no credence to the police reports."

She said that if the children had to use a public service bus they could not get to school before 9.30 am.

The county council says the decision not to provide a bus was made because the children live less than three miles from the school - 2.3 miles. A spokesman said it spent £12m a year on home to school transport, but an Audit Commission best value report concluded recently that the council needs stronger support systems to ensure safety.