BUSES in Preston and South Ribble are being given a new 'classroom' look as part of a drive to stamp out anti-social behaviour on public transport.

It follows a study of more than 3,000 schoolchildren county-wide as part of the Safer Travel Unit.

School monitors will travel on some public transport routes and bus companies are being offered loans for CCTV in a bid to make journeys safer.

Fulwood County High School, Black Bull Lane, Preston, has agreed to take part in the initiative from next month.

Deputy headteacher Gordon Wilson said: "Children need to learn to respect transport and behave accordingly on buses. However, we also need to get our children safely to and from school so this scheme is important."

The findings of the study revealed bad behaviour on buses was a big concern for youngsters and children wanted clean buses that arrived on time with friendly drivers.

Now, backed by the unit, the youngsters are taking action and working with bus companies and the county council to get results.

The initiative follows a pilot scheme when pupils were asked to develop new ways to make the 'school run' more enjoyable and help improve public transport for all passengers.

County Councillor Nora Ward, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "The reaction has been good so far and some schools have appointed bus prefects to cut down on bullying.

"We found that bus companies are keen to co-operate and are now introducing regular drivers on school journeys and school liaison officers."

County Councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education, said: "We have already seen the positive effects of this policy in our pilot schemes and I am sure schools and bus operators across the county will be keen to get on board."

Council chiefs are offering bus companies the chance to work with the Safer Travel Unit to improve journeys on all its buses. CCTV could also be used to make sure passengers feel safe on their journeys.

Rod Hall, of the Safer Travel Unit, said: "Children have really grasped this opportunity and our pilot schemes have shown that when the pupils take responsibility they become proud of their bus."