Faith school pupils in Lancashire could be stripped of their free transport as part of budget cuts being considered by council chiefs.

The local authority is looking into removing free bus passes if parents choose to send their children to a faith school over a closer county school. The decision will force parents to pay nearly #163;400 per child per year to transport them to and from school.

The council claimed that the move could save around #163;4 million from its transport budget and that it would not hit low-income families that have a statutory right to free school travel.

Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post, Father Timothy Lipscomb, vicar of Preston, said: “I don’t think they should discriminate against faith schools but I do feel those who can afford to should pay.” RV.