A MOTHER is claiming her son has been left high and dry by North Yorkshire County Council after making a fresh start at a new school.

Although they live in Ilton, near Masham, Ian and Deborah Flowers already have two daughters and an older son at Wensleydale School, Leyburn.

However, they also wanted their nine-year-old son, David, to attend a primary school in the same catchment area, allowing him to keep the same friends when he moved to secondary education.

After a two-month battle to secure home-to-school transport for their other children, Mrs Flowers says she contacted the county council to ensure she would not face a similar ordeal - and that she was told her son would be able to share the same taxi as his brother and sisters.

But, after a few days of running David to and from school herself to help him settle in his new environment, Mrs Flowers has now been told there is no room for him in the council-sponsored taxi after all.

She said: "We moved our eldest daughter after problems with bullying at her previous school, and decided we wanted the others to attend Wensleydale as well.

"At first, we were told there was no transport available, but we appealed successfully and a taxi was laid on - although another child has since taken one of the four seats available, which means there is no space left for David.

"I checked seven weeks ago if there was likely to be a problem and was told not to worry."

Mrs Flowers claims her job in Northallerton could also be at risk if she has to continue the school run.

Her husband is often away from home and not in a position to help.

County council spokesman Richard Owens confirmed a "thorough investigation" would be carried out into the case and, if the authority was found to be at fault, then it would right any wrongs.

However, he added: "Previous history indicates Mrs Flowers must have been aware there could be problems with transport for her son, and it may be that there are no speedy solutions to this particular problem."