EDUCATION bosses and police are investigating how a boy was dragged up to 300 yards after getting his coat caught in the door of a school bus.

David Robinson, seven, suffered multiple injuries after the accident as he returned home from Slaidburn Primary School.

Ribchester-based firm Classic Travel, which runs the mini-bus service for pupils from the farming communities, has now introduced new checks to prevent anything similar happening again.

The youngster was getting off the minibus at Dean Slack Road End, near David's home at Deanslack Farm, in Slaidburn, last Monday.

David was dragged along the road between 150 and 300 yards towards Bolton-by-Bowland before the driver, Keith Warren, was alerted.

He took David home and his mother, Beverley, took him to Clitheroe Health Centre. He was taken by ambulance to Blackburn's emergency unit then transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital.

Despite being bandaged from his waist to his toes at Royal Preston Hospital, David has already been on his feet trying to walk and was allowed home yesterday,monday.

His mum, who stayed at the hospital with him 24 hours a day, said he was walking very awkwardly because he was still in a lot of pain.

David will see a plastic surgeon later this week, but Beverley said they hoped he wouldn't need surgery and could be cured by physiotherapy.

His grandmother, Diedre Robinson, said: "It was horrific. He was pulled along on his back and his clothes were in ribbons by the time he came to a stop.

"All his bottom was ripped and his heel was badly hurt. He's looking a lot better, but he has his moments when he gets really down."

Beverley Robinson said: "It was a tragic accident, but it could have been a lot worse. We are lucky to have him here."

David Bell, a director of private hire firm Classic Travel, said the driver had been terribly shocked by the accident, which was the first in his 42 year driving career.

He said: "We are not going to discipline him unless the police decide to prosecute him. Then we would have to take further action, but we believe there was no malpractice on his part."

He said Mr Warren had been off work for a few days but had now resumed driving. Drivers have now been told to get out of the mini-buses and open the side doors for the children to leave, instead of allowing the children to open and shut the doors themselves, Mr Bell said.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council education department said today: "We are investigating the matter further with the bus operator to ensure that the safety code was followed.

"The safety code is part of the conditions of contract the bus operator works under. The matter is, however, subject to a police investigation and we will be monitoring the situation."

A police spokesman said they were making inquiries into the incident.

David's family, including his mum and dad, Beverley and Andrew, and his brother Richard, 11, and his friends in Slaidburn have all rallied round to show their support.

Diedre said: "The support he has been getting has been fantastic. He has got lots of cards and parcels and knows people are thinking about him."