PARENTS who have been subjected to extortionate increases for transporting children to school should thank their lucky stars they do not have a child with special needs.

If they did, and they chose an appropriate school - as advised by Thatcherite administrations, and continued by the neo-socialist Blair - they would have to pay much more per day.

If the local authority disagrees and puts school X on the child's statement, and they express a parental preference for school Y then they will be responsible for transport costs.

Last year we paid £24 per day and this year, even though provided by the local authority, it may cost £32.

A student in Burnley has been refused transport in the second year of a third year course, even though the authority had paid in the first two years.

Perhaps special needs children are being discriminated against, albeit indirectly, because they cannot access the normal' buses provided by the authority.

J S KENT, Fairfield Close, Clitheroe.