AY caramba.....children in Lancashire could soon be travelling to school Bart Simpson-style!

Lancashire County Council is considering bringing in yellow school buses to improve transport for children.

Education chiefs hope the buses will cut vandalism on buses.

Authorities in Calderdale and Cheshire are currently trialling the buses. Calderdale Council was so impressed that it has arranged for a fleet to start operating from next month.

Councils started considering adopting the American way after Government figures last year revealed that school runs account for a fifth of traffic.

The number of pupils being driven to school has doubled over the past decade, with only 16 per cent of children travelling to school unaccompanied or on the bus.

In America, the buses stop within 100 yards of pupils' homes and use the same driver every day, making it a much safer way of travelling.

Lancashire County Councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education and young people, and transport boss Coun Nora Ward, are working on plans to bring the buses to Lancashire. A working group of councillors is to be set up to consider the options. Annually, Lancashire spends between £7million and £8million on school bus services.

Coun Whittaker said: "It is something we are seriously looking at.

"We have to see what we can do to make travelling to school safer for children. Tackling bus vandalism is also one issue for us and these buses could be an option.

"At the moment, bus services are contracted out and we can't just expect bus firms to start buying up new buses."

In Calderdale, the buses are being provided by FirstGroup, which also provides many of Lancashire's train services, including the Colne-Blackpool service.

The buses are designed so the driver can see all passengers in one glance, deterring vandalism. They are also ultra-safe, with reinforced glass and seats designed to protect children from bumps.

Peter Shepherdson, road safety officer for Calderdale Council, said the buses had greatly reduced traffic. He said: "Children have designated seats so bullying can be eliminated, and there are video and radio links back to the school."

British bus maker Plaxton is considering making the buses, but in the meantime American firms are adapting them for Britain.