DARWEN children and families are not being "penalised" in relation to bus passes for St Bede's RC High School in Blackburn, as suggested by Mrs L Rackley (Letters, June 11).

According to the Education Act of 1944, pupils over eight, living under three miles from the nearest suitable school are not entitled to a free bus pass. In the case of St Bede's, it seems that families and children from some areas of Darwen have been receiving free passes to which they were not legally entitled. The council has simply put this anomaly straight. Rather than being "penalised" it seems that some children and parents from Darwen have, in fact, been at an advantage!

COUNCILLOR DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward), Avondale Road, Darwen.