AN investigation has been launched after a mother and seven youngsters were ordered off a coach in the dark on East Lancashire's most dangerous road.

Sarah Hunter was disgusted when the driver was asked by a project manager who works with "difficult children" to stop on the Grane Road, in Haslingden, as the Youth Works scheme returned from a day out at Alton Towers.

Environmental charity Groundwork Blackburn, which runs the scheme, today launched an inquiry into the incident and said action would be taken if any mistakes were found to have been made.

Mrs Hunter's 13-year-old son Stephen was thrown off the coach six miles from home near Gas Street at around 8.45pm on Tuesday as it returned to Haslingden where Youth Works is based, on the West View estate.

Mrs Hunter, who had her two other children Anthony, 10, and Melissa, seven, with her along with four other youngsters, claimed they were then told to get off as well. Her husband Stephen was so worried when she did not return he reported them to police as missing persons. They began walking back towards Blackburn and were eventually found by officers and returned home at midnight.

Mrs Hunter, 33, of Whitehaven Close, Blackburn said: "Stephenhad been arguing on the coach but it was nothing major and was certainly no excuse to chuck us off and abandon us late at night.

"In the forms that you sign for trips like these it says that if there is any trouble then they will return home earlier than stated -- it does not say that they will be chucked out in the middle of the road."

The Grane Road, Haslingden, which for the main is in the dark with just a scattering of street lights at either end is the most dangerous roads in East Lancashire. Around 80 accidents have taken place in the past six years -- including a number which proved fatal.

Less than two weeks ago a 27-year-old woman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted after being abducted from the road. in the early hours.

Sergeant Stuart Isherwood, of the police road safety unit, said today: "It's a dark, unlit country road where there aren't even any foot path facilities. It is not suitable for pedestrians at any time, particularly in the pitch black." Mrs Hunter's husband, Stephen, 34, said: "I was furious -- I waited for the bus to come back and when it did the other children on the trip came running over and told me what had happened.

"I went to search for them and grew frightened when they weren't where they had been dropped off because anything could have happened to them.

"Because I couldn't find them I went back and asked the youth worker if I could borrow the mini bus and some torches but I was refused help so another parent helped me and called the police, who finally found them and brought them home at midnight."

The trip was organised through the Youth Works project, on Roman Road, which is run by Groundwork.The scheme, funded by the National Lottery and Youth Justice Board, has been operating in East Lancashire for the past seven years.

Purnima Tanuku, managing director, said: "The youth work project on Roman Road is one of a number of similar initiatives run by Groundwork across East Lancashire, in partnership with Local Authorities and other agencies.

"Every one of these projects has achieved positive results.

"Youth Works' stated objective is to work with young people who are at risk from drifting into crime or other anti-social behaviour. It naturally follows that a small number of the youngsters involved with the project are regarded as 'difficult'.

"My understanding of this particular situation is that the behaviour of a small number of people on an outing got out of hand -- to the extent that the safety of the rest of the passengers was at risk.

"Any mistakes made during this trip will be uncovered and dealt with appropriately as we have stringent guidelines for conduct and health and safety procedures for all of our projects.

"The Roman Road project has worked with literally hundreds of young people over the past six years. Events ranging from estate improvements to training, fun-days and residential events have all been concluded safely and successfully.

"Previous comments from local residents, parents, the police, community groups and the young people have always been positive.