A schoolgirl who claimed she was bullied could be pulled out of mainstream education after a council refused to pay for her bus travel.

Nadine Foxon-Easby has to make her own way to her new school at the Darlington Education Village - even though a child in the same street is picked up by the school bus every day.

The 12-year-old, of Derwent Street, switched schools after she was allegedly bullied at Carmel RC College.

Her mother, Clare, is unable to take her to school because she is disabled and is recovering from extended hospital treatment, which has involved more than 30 operations.

Clare's boyfriend, Dennis Patton, said the couple may opt to have Nadine educated at home because they are unable to run her to school and back every day.

He said: "The council says that because she elected to go to a particular school she doesn't qualify for free bus travel. She didn't 'elect' to go to the school, she had to because she was being bullied.

"Her mum is disabled and this makes it impossible for her. She's just come out of hospital after further surgery and she is laid up in bed.

"At the end of the day, we may well have to get home education because we just can't get her up to school. The council approved the transfer, why didn't they see that this would be a problem?

"Somebody in the same street gets the school bus, why can't Nadine?

"I'm having to take her to school at the moment, but I'm going to be away with work for a while so she will be stuck after that."

A council spokeswoman said: "Where appropriate, free school transport is available for secondary school pupils if they attend their nearest school, which is more than two miles from their home.

"By parental choice, Nadine has been moved to a school which is not the closest to her home, therefore she is not eligible for free transport, as there are nearer schools. We can not comment on arrangements made for other children in the area."