SCHOOL bus services are set to be axed as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

And some college bus routes face an uncertain future after it was revealed Blackburn with Darwen Council had withdrawn funding for services.

Education experts warned the removal of services to colleges could have severe effects on students.

Up to ten buses could be axed from school routes as council officers desperately try to balance their books.

A total of £74,000 has been cut from Blackburn with Darwen Council's £1.5million annual budget used to ferry children to local high schools.

The council currently supports 46 school services, along with another 25 service routes which get children to school.

All funding for student travel starting college courses in September -- principally to Blackburn College, St Mary's College and St Wilfrid's Sixth Form -- has also been withdrawn by the council. But for the next school year, a government Pathfinder grant of £173,000 will help fund students needing transport to college in the area -- although colleges today expressed concern that no decision has been taken on what will happen once that money runs out.

Local education authorities have no obligation to help students at sixth form to college, although many do, including Lancashire County Council.

The county council has had its own money supplemented by government money for a pilot scheme which is designed to see if free travel encourages more people into colleges.

If successful, it could be rolled out nationally and help solve Blackburn with Darwen's college transport problems in the future, but nothing has been decided yet.

Students currently receiving support to college in Blackburn with Darwen -- normally in the form of free bus travel -- will continue to receive it. Exact details of which school services, which normally ferry youngsters living three or more miles away from their school for free and others at a cut price, have yet to be decided.

They will be axed from September.

A council spokesman said: "The council currently subsidises certain bus services to assist pupils getting to school.

"It is working with local transport operators regarding provision for the following academic year."

Under the new committee system, only certain decisions have to be taken by committees. Others can be taken by the portfolio-holder for the relevant department and then published weekly.

Matthew Grant, vice-principal at Blackburn College, said: "While this Pathfinder money is good news because it means students living only two miles away will be supported into college, it is only short-term.

"We don't know what will happen when that runs out. It is very important people are able to access education and subsidised transport is a very important part of that.

"For example, public transport is the only option for many students travelling from Darwen.

"There is nowhere in Darwen for them to go for sixth form education."

Coun Colin Rigby, the leader of the conservatives on Blackburn with Darwen Council, who represents North Turton and Tockholes, said: "It would affect people here because our nearest college is in Blackburn.

"We are a border area and are 10 miles out of Blackburn."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We have no plans to change our policy.

"We recognise the value of providing home to school transport to increase the opportunities open to young people who can access education."