FURIOUS parents say Durham County Council is refusing to meet them to discuss free school transport arrangements for their children.

Catholic children from the Sedgefield, Bishop Middleham and Fishburn area used to attend Carmel Comprehensive School, in Darlington, but had to find a new school when the local authority split from County Durham.

Parents were stunned two-and-a-half years ago when the council told them they would only lay on free transport to St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland.

Education chiefs said it was nearer than St Leonard's RC Comprehensive School, in Durham, which was the parents' preferred choice.

Parents have been sending children to St Leonard's at their own expense. They complained to the Local Government Ombudsman, who found two cases of maladministration, but upheld the decision.

Parish Priest Father John Caden said the council would not meet parents, adding: "It is a complete denial of the democratic process. The appeal to the ombudsman was a whitewash and the council did nothing at all."

Parent Maureen Rodgers said: "We just seem to be getting fobbed off and everywhere we turn we feel we are coming up against a brick wall."

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "The council's present view is that the ombudsman's report drew a line under this matter and that was the end of it.

"However, if the parents feel they have new evidence which they believe changes the situation, they should send it to education director Keith Mitchell, who said he would be happy to consider it."

But the spokesman said: "While our willingness to receive such information does not guarantee them a meeting with officers or councillors, it does not rule it out.

"That depends entirely on the 'new evidence' they submit."