CHILDREN have been left behind or have been forced to stand because of the overcrowded mini-bus carrying them to school.

The problem lies with the 8am and 3.30pm Stagecoach service buses which are too small to accommodate the school students who travel on the bus, mainly to get to the Sixth Form centre at Stainburn.

Seaton Parish council has this week written to Cumbria County Council to ask for a larger bus at school start and leaving times.

Clerk Paul Bramley said: "We are not asking for a London double-decker which wouldn't fit over the bridge anyway, just something that is large enough to accommodate the numbers traveling."

Councillor Aileen Brown, whose daughter catches the 8am bus, said often by the time she gets on there are at least six people standing.

"And I know on at least one occasion where a number of students were at a bus stop and the bus just drove past because there was not enough room," she said.

"It is bad enough that the children are dropped in Washington Street in Workington and have to walk up the hill to Stainburn but it is not safe for them to be traveling in these overcrowded buses."

Mrs Brown said she has written to Workington MP Mark Jenkinson but has so far received only a letter of acknowledgment.

Her daughter has a bus pass.

County council bus services officer Mark Hodgkiss said any decision about the size of a bus was a commercial one and so ultimately, Stagecoach's decision.

"There are parts of the County where journeys are withdrawn at school times, so vehicles can be used on dedicated schools services for the County Council.

"If the pupils had passes issued by the County Council, it would be the Council’s responsibility to ensure that they had safe transport to school, but if these are pupils who do not qualify for transport, it is the parent’s responsibility."

Mr Hodgkiss told the council he had tried to get hold of the local manager but was unable to contact him.

Stagecoach could not be reached for comment today.