LITTLE Rogina Matthews should have started her new school this week.

But the eight years-old Westleigh girl with special needs wasn't there because there is no room for her on the school bus.

The lively youngster was looking forward to her first day at Green Hall Primary School at Atherton, which caters for pupils who have difficulty progressing at mainstream schools.

So her mum, Melanie, was stunned when mid-way through half-term she received a letter telling her Rogina wouldn't be able to start at Green Hall unless she herself could transport her to and from the school each day.

An angry Ms Matthews said : "She wants to go to Green Hall -- but I simply can't afford the £20 a week bus fares it would cost to take her there and collect her after school.

"She attended St Peter's Infants and Junior schools in Leigh but St Peter's can't provide her with the help and support she needs any more."

Rogina, who cannot read nor write, admitted : "The work is just too hard for me."

Her mum says the process of securing a place at Green Hall began last August.

"It's not the school's fault, but the Education Authority has made me mad. Rogina has been assessed as needing help and they have offered to give that help but now she can't have it because she can't get to school."

A Local Education Authority spokesman said: "The practicalities of organising the transport, rather than the actual financing of it, have led to the delay, but we are happy to say that Rogina will be at her new school from March 1."