STUDENTS are stepping up their campaign to save a discount travel scheme that enables them to get to college after learning it could be ending sooner than they thought.

Teenagers at Prior Pursglove College have launched an online petition in a bid to persuade Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council not to scrap the Roaming and Travelling Card (Rat).

The council is reviewing the cost effectiveness of the halfprice travel scheme as it attempts to balance its budgets in the wake of public sector funding cuts.

Students fear the decision to end the discount could come as early as next month and, so far, the petition has attracted nearly 1,200 signatures.

Cameron Giles, president of the college's branch of the Students' Union, said: "It is my opinion the current proposals are narrow-minded and do not fully recognise the impact such changes will have.

"Even if levels of subsidised travel to and from the college, school or place of training are continued, students will still be unfairly burdened with the cost of travel for things such as work experience, university interviews, sport activities, volunteering opportunities and other key extracurricular activities, which are recognised to form a vital part of young people's education.

"Furthermore, the proposed cuts limit the mobility of young people, preventing them from engaging in wider interests or leisure activities."

College principal Judy Burton said: "Support for student transport is a fundamental necessity for the majority of our students. With the disappearance of the educational maintenance allowance, students need all the financial help they can get. The Rat Card is an excellent form of transport subsidy, which I hope will be preserved in the future."

Councillor Helen McLuckie, cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning, highlighted the council's predicament.

She said: "The unprecedented nature of the financial challenges we face mean all services have to be looked at.

"Unfortunately, the take-up of the Rat card has not been as strong as we would have wished. There is no proposal to cut the Rat card, but we are wanting to review the eligibility criteria for it.

"We recognise there is a need for many students to be financially supported in getting to and from their studies, and we are hopeful of finding a way forward."

The petition can be seen at petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savetherat