Parents in a Bradford village are fighting the withdrawal of free bus passes for their children - for a second year running.

Youngsters who live in Denholme and attend Parkside Secondary School in Cullingworth say they have been told they can no longer have the passes because the 2.5 mile route to school is safe to walk.

But their parents are terrified about pupils as young as 11 walking along a busy main road in all weathers and having to cross at least three times to stay on a pavement.

Parents are also worried about the volume of traffic using the route, particularly lorries, and are anxious children could fall into their path.

The walk passes by a wooded area, in which, parents say, people could easily lurk, especially in the dark winter months.

Last year the school bus passes were axed by Bradford Council after it was decided that a newly-built pavement on Manywells Brow between the two villages made the route safe.

However, following an outcry by parents and the intervention of Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton, whose Bingley Rural ward covers the school, the buse passes were reinstated.

Coun Eaton said she fully understood the parents' concern.

Parent Alison Drake said she was appalled that children were being expected to walk so far and along a busy road.

She said they had received a letter from Education Bradford which said the route was safe to walk in the spring term so children would not be eligible for passes.

Mrs Drake estimated about 100 children from Denholme attended Parkside - 35 are due to go from the village school in September in addition to the pupils already there.

Paul Terry, head teacher of Denholme Primary School, has written to Education Bradford about his concerns about the route. "You have to cross a minimum of three times because there's only a footpath on one side of the road," he said.

A spokesperson for Education Bradford said a letter had been sent to parents that a decision will be made shortly and they will informed next week of the outcome.