IN response to your report and editorial (LET, May 19), about school bus services in Lancashire, I feel that the article did not give the correct picture.

The county council attaches the very highest priority to the task of getting children safely to school by bus. This is our responsibility and duty, which we exercise with the very greatest care and consideration. Our management systems, including the monitoring and inspection functions, are of the highest order.

Recent reports in Lancashire's media were based on Operation Coachman, a joint exercise undertaken some months ago by the county council, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Lancashire Constabulary.

The police head this particular exercise, which only runs for a couple of weeks each year and puts out the broad figures for public consumption. In this case, 'Lancashire' does not just mean the Lancashire County Council area.

The county council's inspectors, however, work throughout the year conducting spot checks on school buses. All irregularities are dealt with immediately.

The majority of the checks are carried out with the Vehicle Inspectorate with whom we liaise closely throughout the year. Where there might be any concern whatsoever over the safety of pupils, the buses are withdrawn immediately and alternative arrangements made.

There are a number of cowboy bus operators in Lancashire who are well known to the authority and to whom we do not award contracts.

Any operator who fails our regular and thorough inspection regime receives no more business from the county council until they are able to demonstrate that they have rectified the problems. Any new company which starts up is subjected to a very thorough inspection, which includes the vehicles, the premises, their personnel, their insurance, their legal obligations and their full capability to meet the county council's requirements.

Any suspected weakness means that, irrespective of tender prices, they will not be allowed to transport school children

All cases where vehicles have been withdrawn from service are considered by councillors. Very minor infringements result in a formal warning and anything more serious, or more than one formal warning in a short period of time, automatically sees the contract withdrawn.

In fact, in the Operation Coachman exercise this year, out of 133 buses stopped, 45 were county council bus services and of these, four resulted in reports to councillors and formal warnings. The problems were all associated with emergency doors.

We would, of course, wish to find no faults ever on any school bus. In this case the formal warnings have been followed up to ensure that the necessary work has been completed.

Lancashire leads the way in the safety of school children's transport. We insisted on seat belts in minibuses long before legislation was brought in. We insisted in requiring minibus drivers to be trained long before this became widespread.

We co-operated with bus operators in the installation of in-vehicle CCTV several years ago and our contracts with the private bus companies are known to be as watertight and tough as any in the country.

The safest way for children to be transported to school is by bus. Officers and councillors in Lancashire work closely together to maintain the very highest safety standards. Our systems of monitoring, contracting and the reporting of complaints are open and transparent.

Any member of the public, parent,teacher or child who has any doubt or suspicion about any school bus service should contact the public transport section who will investigate the issue quickly and professionally on 01772 264588.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR RICHARD TOON, (Chairman, Lancashire County Council), Pear Tree Avenue, Chorley.