ANGRY parents have claimed children as young as 11 were forced off a bus because they wouldn't pay an adult fare - despite wearing school uniforms.

They say dozens of Darwen Vale High School and Engineering College pupils were forced to walk home alone after the school bus driver told youngsters they would have to pay or get off.

Now bus chiefs have vowed to investigate the claims.

Darwen mum Janet Johnson said she received a phone call from her 12-year-old daughter Rebecca who had no money left for her onward journey home after being charged full fare from Darwen Vale to Darwen Circus on bus 202.

Mrs Johnson said: "It is outrageous to have young children in their school uniforms paying full fare.

"Luckily I could pick Rebecca up but many of her friends had been forced to walk several miles home.

"This incident involved a lot of children, some as young as 11 and 12. Anything could have happened."

In July Blackburn Transport launched its Beez Buzzcard with the support of Blackburn with Darwen councillors Dorothy Walsh and Maureen Bateson.

The card is for 13-15-year-olds to prove to the driver that although they may look older than 16, they are still entitled to pay half fare.

However, because the children prevented from using the bus last Wednesday were only 11 and 12, they are not entitled to carry this card so have no proof of age.

Mrs Johnson added: "If children as young as 11 are being challenged about their age then the Buzzcard should be for 11- to 15-year-olds.

"What is the world coming to when children dressed in school uniforms are not entitled to pay half fare?"

A spokesperson for Darwen Vale said they have told pupils to report such incidents to a teacher who will give them money for the fare or call their parents.

Michael Morton, managing director at Blackburn Transport said: "I agree with this parent's outrage.

"All our drivers are instructed that children who insist they are 12 or under must be allowed to pay half fare.

"All Blackburn Transport buses have CCTV cameras and audio recording equipment in the cab so we can hear what the driver said and see what was going on.

"We will find this footage and take action.

"In defence of our Buzz card scheme we think it is a good idea but expected a few teething problems.

"We will do our best to ensure drivers are not over zealous in enforcing this so schoolchildren are not made to pay an adult fare."