A MOTHER-of-six came up with the ideal solution when her children's school bus service was threatened with the axe -- she became its unpaid conductor.

Ann Dunne, 44, spends her week travelling with pupils on the Blackburn to Darwen service.

She jumped into the voluntary job after bus bosses threatened to withdraw the service for 30 youngsters because there was no conductor and drivers were a target for abuse.

Ann, of Whitehaven Close, Blackburn, completes ten morning and afternoon runs a week from Newfield Drive, Blackburn, to Darwen Vale High School.

The service has been cancelled by numerous bus operators in the past because of vandalism and trouble on the bus. But Ann's tough "two-strikes-and-you're-out" policy has seen a dramatic reduction in incidents.

Blackburn Transport, which runs the service, put a clause in their contact when they took over the route for the council. The contract insists that a bus conductor should be present on the bus at all times.

The managing director of Blackburn Transport, Michael Morton, praised Ann's dedicated work.

He said: "Quite frankly the children would most probably be without a bus if it wasn't for Ann.

"What she does is absolutely wonderful.

"We could do with 30 more people like Ann to help out on the buses.

"At the end of the day kids will be kids and Ann commands a lot of respect from the youngsters because one of her children travels on the bus and she lives in the area.

"A number of service operators had to withdraw their contracts because things got so bad including Blackburn Transport. Ann is a treasure to us."

Ann says she has always enjoyed a challenge and wants to give something back to her community.

She said: "A lot of people can't believe that I do this without getting paid, but the satisfaction is enough for me.

"Before I volunteered the bus was constantly being cancelled because of the children's bad behaviour.

"I wanted to help and do something about it because I knew I could make a difference. I know they aren't bad kids really, they just need some discipline - which I give them."

Ann admits she has a strict policy on the bus and uses a two-strikes-and-you're-out rule when people misbehave.

She added: "The kids know how far to push me, but if they do go too far I will have no hesitation in banning them from the bus. I usually give them a warning before I take any action and kick them off.

"I have banned plenty of people from the bus, and it seems to work because I have very little trouble from them. At the end of the day they would rather be on a warm bus than walking in the cold."

Gary Mills, who has driven the bus for six years, says he has seen the difference Ann makes to the bus and says her service is invaluable.

He said: "Ann is only one of two bus conductors in Blackburn and without her I would not drive the bus.

"I have seen how the children are when she is not there and they act completely different.

"When Ann is on board there isn't any trouble but take her off that bus and that's when the problems with vandalism and abuse start.

"Ann deserves an award for her work because she is an inspiration for everybody in this town - and there aren't a lot of people who I can say that about."