Sir, – In a bid to save money North Yorkshire County Council appears to be targeting those least able to take the hit in their pockets. It's latest idea, outlined on the front page of last week's Darlington and Stockton Times, is to withdraw bus passes for children who live fewer than three miles from their school.

The proposed cut is going to stretch the purses of those least able to pay and particularly those who don't have the luxury of a car. They face stretching the household budget by up to another £380 for a bus pass, adding to the financial pressure being experienced by families..

The county council may argue that these youngsters can walk or bike to school, but this isn't a solution in many rural areas where I wouldn't want to see youngsters walking or cycling on remote rural roads that are often isolated and used as a race track by some motorists.

And what sense does this move make anyway as I assume that the school buses that collect children from further afield will still pass by the bus stops that serve those students who live in the three mile radius.

And all to save just £190,000 - and that is if the projected savings actually materialise, which is open to serious doubt.

This is a cut too far in a county as rural and geographically sparse as North Yorkshire. Savings could be made in other areas of the council budget such as employing fewer consultants to carry out what used to be core work for council officers.

I urge the county council look at bureaucracy for cuts, not badly needed buses..

DINAH KEAL

Thirsk and Malton Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate