A FRIGHTENED ten-year-old boy was left stranded at a bus stop on a busy main road for being 10p short for his fare.

Now his furious father is demanding answers after the youngster was forced to run home and collect some more money, making him late for school.

Park View Primary pupil Keifer Leon Hill was on his regular morning journey to school when he attempted to board the 98 First bus near McDonald's in Whitefield.

But when he handed over the money for his 40p fare, the driver pointed out he was 10p short and refused to let him on board.

The company has now issued a public apology to the Hills and admitted the situation should not have been allowed to happen.

Dad Paul (43), who lives with Keifer at Fountain Place, Top o'th Fields, said: "I was fuming. For the sake of 10p the driver could have let him on. Anything could have happened to the lad."

He said the incident had made him even more worried after hearing about the recent abduction attempts in the area. Just last week a man tried to snatch a four-year-old girl from her mother's grasp as she walked to school in Middleton and a 12-year-old girl managed to escape after being bundled into the boot of a man's car in Bury

"It just shows how easily something could have happened," said Paul. "This is unacceptable."

Paul said his son arrived home upset and in a rush as he did not want to be late for school.

He said: "It was fortunate I was in the house, I could easily have been out and about that morning.

"It was a genuine mistake on our part that he did not have enough money but that is not reason enough to stop him getting on the bus.

"He catches the same bus every morning and this is the first time this has happened to Keifer. It was a bit of a shock to him, to be honest.

"I think the poor lad was frightened by the whole thing."

A spokesman for the bus company First, said the incident would be investigated now it had been brought to their attention.

Mr Frank Gac, one of the local service managers for First, and responsible for the 98 route, added: "From time to time our drivers find themselves in a difficult position when people boarding the bus have insufficient monies for their fare.

"When such a situation arises involving children drivers are required to follow company guidelines and allow the child to travel in order that they are not put at risk.

"In this situation guidelines were clearly not employed and we would like to apologise for any anxiety and distress caused.

"We will ensure that all staff are reminded about the guidelines."