CAB Manager Katy Marshall has written to the council asking for a review of the policy, explaining its unfair impact and enclosing a list of those who have asked for their name to be put forward in protest.

Under the policy, the county council will only provide free school transport to the nearest available high school.

For example, a child in Whalley attending Ribblesdale High Technology College, Clitheroe, would qualify for free transport, but the same child would not qualify if attending Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, also in Clitheroe but slightly further from Whalley.

The policy will only apply to children starting high school from September and will not be "backdated" to children already at high school.

However, for those parents affected by the change, it could cost hundreds of pounds a year in school transport costs.

Katy Marshall said the CAB is concerned that:
The policy penalises all but those on the lowest incomes

The impact will be particularly harsh on households with more than one affected school child.

The CAB can provide information on eligibility for free transport under the policy as it stands at present, which is intended to assist households on the basis of means testing.

It can be contacted Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Wednesdays) in person at the office in Parson Lane, Clitheroe, or on 01200 428966.

Katy apologised that the CAB is unable to telephone all the people who have expressed concern due to the demand. "We are overwhelmed by numbers and would ask people who have contacted us to check for news of progress in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times," she said.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council has explained the change would bring Ribble Valley into line with the rest of the county and with Government policy on school transport.