LANCASHIRE County Council is consulting parents about the removal of subsidies to ten school bus services.

The controversial change is part of a package of measures to save the authority £46m by 2022/23.

Among the services affected, where no students entitled to free home to school transport have used them for two years, are: the 623 Mellor, Traders Arms to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School ; the860 Blackburn Roe Lee to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and Bowland High School; the 873 Accrington Wyresdale Avenue to St Anne’s Roman Catholic Primary School; and the 889 Simonstone to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

Two further services - the 775 Mellor Brook and Langho The Rydings to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and the 876 Longridge to Clitheroe Royal Grammar School - where revenue from fares and season tickets currently covers the cost could be at risk if the income from other students drops. The change will apply from September 2020 if confirmed.

County council leader Cllr Geoff Driver said: “We want to hear people’s views on these proposed changes and the cabinet will consider all the responses very carefully before making a decision."

The consultation ends on Monday April 8.

Cllr John Fillis, deputy leader of the opposition Labour group, said “Schoolchildren will be left stranded by these cuts to their bus services. The consultation is a complete sham."