RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans raised the plight of local children being bussed miles to school in with Transport Minister John Reid in the Commons yesterday.

Children from Gisburn and Clitheroe are being forced to go to Accrington, leaving angry parents to protest bitterly.

Mr Evans told Doctor Read at Transport Questions: "Many villages in my rural constituency will suffer further strain."In Clitheroe, for instance, many youngsters will have to be bussed miles out of their area to attend neighbouring schools. Have you had any discussions with the department for education and employment to ensure that there is better planning in regard to school places, so youngsters need not travel on buses for many hoursin the morning just to receive a decent education?" Doctor Reid told Mr Evans: "We have not only discussed the matter with the department for education and employment, but formed the school travel advisory group, which is examining it closely."

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