PLANS to increase school bus fares were today branded dangerous amid fears children will be priced out of travelling home on public transport.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced plans to introduce a new standardised bus fare of 50p one way on all school services.

Currently, the average return bus fare for youngsters in the borough is below 50p.

Labour councillors said the rise will guarantee the future of services and the introduction of a flat-rate £1 return means the fare cannot be lost or stolen.

A report to the council says the move will raise the amount collected each year from £108,500 to around £135,000 which will be used to maintain routes. It also wants to introduce a standard daily £1 return which will double the average currently paid by children using 28 of the council's 34 school services.

David White, headteacher at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, branded the move "dangerous".

He said: "While some children are eligible for transport subsidies, a hike will almost certainly see more children walking to school in dark mornings when it is not safe."

Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "The council is trying to make money out of parents and the cost will be that our children are put at risk."

A report to the council states that children paying low bus fares only travel short distances and could be expected to walk in the future.

It adds that a flat fare would make life easier for drivers because they could issue fares more quickly rather than having a different fare for every stop.

The report also says that children who are able to get on buses quickly, rather than wait, are more likely to be well-behaved.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education, said: "From a parents' point of view a borough-wide flat fare might offer some benefits through ease of use.

"The fact that a return ticket can be bought will mean the worry of lost or misappropriated bus fares is removed."

Tory leader Coun Colin Rigby said: "We are one of the 26 most deprived areas in the UK and you have to ask yourself if parents will be able to afford these new fares.

"The answer is no."