SCHOOL transport plans have left parents reeling — again.

Three families from Gorslas and Capel Hendre are battling against Carmarthenshire Council's policy on free transport to secondary schools.

It follows a story the Journal covered last week on children in Tumble who face walking almost three miles along a cycle path to get to school.

Ysgol Penygroes pupils, Holly Thomas and Steffan Jones, of Gorslas, and Matthew Davies, of Capel Hendre, hope to start at Ysgol Tre-Gib in September, but their parents now face the task of finding them transport after the council claimed they are not entitled to it.

Holly's dad, Jonathan Thomas, said: "The council wish to send our children to Ysgol y Gwendraeth, but because of the school's uncertain future we want to send our children to Tre-Gib to avoid the disruption of uprooting them."

The parents were then told by the council that their children could attend Tre-Gib, but they would not be entitled to free transport.

Despite offering to pay for the transport and to take the children into the catchment area to catch the bus, parents claim the council still refuse.

They now face a wait until June when they can appeal against the decision.

"We don't think it's acceptable to make our children wait.

"We feel we are being bullied into sending our children to the school the council want."

AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas is supporting the parents and wants to hold talks with the council.

Council transport manager Stephen Pilliner said: "The children are in the designated area for Ysgol y Gwendraeth or Ysgol Maesyryrfa.

"Parents can express a preference for a child to attend a school other than the nearest school.

"However, this does not confer a right to free transport."