Parents in Denholme have hit out at a decision to deprive their children of free bus passes to school.

They are angry that some students attending Parkside School, in Cullingworth, have not received application forms for free bus passes.

Villagers argue that the route from Denholme to Cullingworth along the busy A629 Main Road is not safe to walk because pupils would have to cross the carriageway numerous times to stay on a pavement.

And they are calling on education chiefs to rethink the policy and provide all children with free passes.

Denholme town councillor Maxine Brotherton said: "What we have heard is that new students going to Parkside in September have received application forms, but the pupils already there have not received them.

"We have also heard that if parents don't apply for passes before the end of July they will have to pay for bus fairs until December.

"To keep on a pavement the children would have to cross Main Road seven times if they walk from the Mechanics Institute.

"Anyone can see it is not a safe route to walk, especially at 8am in the morning."

Parkside head teacher Dr Tony Rickwood said he knew a problem existed for students travelling from Cross Roads and Haworth, but was not aware of the problem for students in Denholme.

Town councillors agreed to raise the issue with Bradford council leader and Bingley Rural councillor Margaret Eaton.

A spokesman for Education Bradford said: "A letter has been sent to all parents in Denholme, whose children have previously qualified for free travel, advising them that a decision will be made shortly and they will be informed next week of the outcome."