A MOTHER has blasted a driver who refused to let her son get on a bus because he had an adult ticket.

Zac Adams, 12, was left at Chorley Bus Station on his way home from school even though he had forked out £12 for a weekly 'Mega Rider' adult ticket.

The Year Eight pupil at Southlands High School, Clover Road, Chorley, was distraught at being refused a ride and had to phone his grandparents on a mobile phone to get home to Carr Field, Clayton-le-Woods.

Now Stagecoach has issued an apology to Zac and his mum Ceri Adams, saying that leaving a child stranded anywhere is strictly against company policy.

Furious Ceri said: "Anything could have happened. Zac was really upset.

"His nanna and grandad picked him up, but if they had not been in he'd have been completely stranded."

Zac travels the seven miles to Southlands High after the family moved to Clayton-le-Woods in December.

Ceri, who pays £48 a month to ensure her son goes to the school of their choice, said: "With everything that has gone on with children these days it is even more worrying.

"If the bus driver wasn't sure about letting him on he could have asked somebody else. He left a boy in a very vulnerable situation."

A Stagecoach spokesman said: "It's a valid ticket for that area. The driver made a mistake.

"He has been interviewed by the duty inspector.

"Drivers are now aware that this is a valid ticket for everybody, but to ensure the incident is not repeated there have been posters put up to remind them.

"It's against company procedure to leave children stranded.

"We can only apologise."