THOUSANDS of parents have been warned that their sons or daughters may not get a free bus to and from school.

More than 10,000 parents received a letter this week from Darlington's education boss Geoffrey Pennington. He warned of cuts to free school transport which could affect hundreds of students. He said too much money was being spent on free bus travel.

Mr Pennington said the cuts were not a bid to save money but would instead free up at least £250,000 in five years time for books, equipment and extra teachers.

Mr Pennington, director of education at Darlington Borough Council said that over £40 extra could be spent on every secondary school pupil every year if cuts were made.

"It is not a drive to save money, it is a drive to spend money where it is most effective for the benefit of all children and their education.

"If less money is spent on transport, more money can be invested in classrooms to buy books and equipment and employ extra teachers."

At the moment school pupils who live more than two miles from their nearest school qualify for free bus travel.

Darlington Borough Council said it now wants to run the same system as other local authorities and provide free transport for secondary school pupils living more then three miles away from their schools. Hundreds of youngsters could miss out.

The plan is to introduce the new system in September 2003. Mr Pennington said the changes would only affect youngsters starting at the town's seven secondary schools on that date so letters were sent to all secondary and primary school parents.

Parents have been given until July 13 to comment. A council spokesman said: "So far the responses have been telephone calls making inquiries about the letter, but the feedback has been positive. Parents have been given two options either they agree with the system or not."

The council has worked out that schools will get between £27,000 and £52,000 extra a year. "At least £50,000 would be saved in the first year alone and, after five years a quarter of a million pounds every year," said Mr Pennington.

The council said it spends £430,000 a year on free bus travel or £320 for every secondary school pupil using buses.

Updated : 17:35, Thursday 5th July