A SCHOOL girl was told she could no longer catch the school bus due to 'overcrowding'.

Laura Thompson, 12, from Mellor, was left distressed and upset when a Lancashire County Council travel inspector said priority would be given to free bus pass holders on the 775 bus service.

She was told that, as of the next school day, she could no longer use the service and must catch a regular bus.

Her family have been left angry by the situation and are now arranging transport to take the year eight Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil to school.

Transport bosses at Lancashire County Council said it was not known how many additional spaces were needed until the start of term.

They said her particular bus service was running to full capacity as additional pupils were attending the schools’ sixth form centre.

But bosses are reviewing policy in light of Laura’s situation.

In the meantime the council is considering asking older pupils to use another service to enable younger students who not qualify for a free bus pass, as Clitheroe Grammar School is not their nearest school, to get on the bus.

Laura’s sister Rachael, 18, said: “We are more angry then anything, if they were changing the system they should have given us notice. There was no problems last year.”

She added: “The Lancashire County Council travel inspector told her that, from the next morning, she was no longer allowed to get on her school bus because she hadn't a pass from the council and it was too crowded. He told her she had to get a service bus from now on.

“At 12 years old, this is completely unacceptable."

Peter Brown, Lancashire County Council's school bus network manager, said they were trying to find a solution.

He said: "There is a 280 service bus which runs at almost exactly the same time but we appreciate that not all parents are comfortable with younger secondary-age pupils travelling on public transport.

"We do hope that this will provide an acceptable solution for all students travelling to the grammar school from Mellor Brook."