A BUS company is to review its rules after a mother complained that her children were left stranded by a driver.

Annette Ford said her 15-year-old daughter Samantha was told that she would have to pay for her four-year-old sister, Sammy - or get off the double decker bus last Thursday tea-time.

The teenager, of Anchor Avenue, Darwen, was also in charge of her sister Rebecca, 11, and brother Christopher, eight. She had collected the youngsters from St James' School at the other side of town.

The bus driver said because the group were only paying three half fares, instead of one paying for an adult ticket, they would also have to pay for Sammy.

The children got off and walked to their grandmother's to get some more money so they could catch another bus.

The bus company's rules state that up to three children under five travel free if they are with an adult fare paying passenger.

Now the family's ward councillor Michael Barratt, who is also non-executive board member of Blackburn Transport, is demanding the issue is raised at the next board meeting.

"I found the explanation given by the company for this incident to be unacceptable. The children should not have been treated in this way." said Mr Barratt, who represents Earcroft on Blackburn with Darwen Council.

"I have spoken to the managing director and have been assured that Mrs Ford will receive a full apology.

"Although the driver was technically correct, this was not the way the regulations should have been interpreted, especially when Blackburn Transport strives to run a customer friendly service.

"The whole issue of fare conditions will be discussed at the meeting."

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