A MOTHER is taking her fight for a school bus pass for her daughter to the Government and the local Ombudsman.

Mrs Wendy Dumville was incensed when her daughter Amy,11, was refused a free pass by Bolton Council because she lives just within the three mile boundary.

Amy's case was highlighted in the BEN in August after Mrs Dumville complained her daughter was expected to walk a "dangerous route" to St Joseph's RC School in Horwich.

Mrs Dumville, of Aspen Close, Westhoughton, said a long stretch of the route through Horwich has no walkway and no lighting.

She said: "Although we live 2.7 miles from the school - just within the three miles set down by Bolton Council - we don't think the route is safe.

"We have just lost an appeal against the council's decision but will continue to fight."

Mrs Dunville has written to the local government Ombudsman and the Secretary of State for Education Gillian Shephard.

She added: "Bolton Council says the route is acceptable but we disagree.

"I wouldn't allow my daughter to walk down a grass verge without lighting, so she is getting the bus to school and we are paying her 64p a day return fare."

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