PLANS to bring Bart Simpson-style school buses to the streets of East Lancashire have been shelved -- in favour of banning double-deckers instead.

County Hall chiefs had investigated the possibility of bringing in the famous American yellow buses to help cut vandalism and anti-social incidents.

Other authorities in England reported amazing results when they did the same.

Children have designated seats on the buses so bullying can be eliminated, and there are video and radio links back to the school.

Their review began after a survey revealed one in five schoolchildren had suffered bullying or anti-social behaviour on the school bus -- 75 per cent of whom said it happened regularly.

Parents also expressed concern at the high number of pupils smoking on buses, while bus companies claim they spend thousands every year repairing damage caused by vandals on the school routes. Council bosses have ditched the idea of American buses in favour of a new package of rules and regulations for bus companies taking on school contracts, paid for by Lancashire County Council.

Pilot schemes at two schools in Lancashire, one in Penwortham and one in Poulton-le-Fylde, are taking place this term and the county's highways chief Jean Yates today revealed, if successful, they could be rolled out across Lancashire within months.

She said: "The yellow buses was something we looked at, because other councils are doing it.

"But we have drawn up our own proposals, which look at several aspects about what makes youngsters feel safe when travelling on buses."

Double-decker buses would be banned from school routes if the pilot is successful.

Drivers say it is easier to see what is going on when driving a single-deckers, while pupils said they felt safer.

Flat fares would be introduced, a scheme adopted already in Blackburn with Darwen, to ensure youngsters could get on buses more quickly.

And bus companies have to provide regular drivers on routes so that pupils get to know them and trust them to report any problems.

Support is also being offered for CCTV.

Coun Yates added: "We are already doing a lot.

"We work hard with schools to promote good behaviour on school buses.

"Schools need to report incidents to us so we know what is going on."

Among the authorities to use the yellow buses is Calderdale, just over the Yorkshire border.

Peter Shepherdson, road safety officer for Calderdale Council, said the buses had greatly reduced traffic.

British bus maker Plaxton is considering making the buses but in the meantime American firms are adapting them for Britain.