HUNDREDS of passengers were left stranded today as bus drivers staged their second one-day strike over pay.

Dozens of Stagecoach Ribble drivers across East Lancashire took part in the action as services were thrown into chaos.

Council officials laid on special buses to replace some primary school services.

But secondary school and college services normally operated by Stagecoach were severely disrupted in Blackburn and Darwen.

A picket line was formed at the Stagecoach depot in Blackburn where driver Frank Dean, of Town Walk, Blackburn, was crushed to death between a bus and a wall during the first one-day stoppage last month.

About 10 members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) were outside the depot gates early today.

The strike took place after 88 per cent of drivers voted against union recommendations and rejected a revised pay offer from Stagecoach managers.

Similar one-day strikes are expected to take place over the next four Mondays.

Passengers have been urged to call an information hotline on 01772 886633 or Blackburn with Darwen Council's transport and local information office on 01254 681120.

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