ANGRY mothers have launched a campaign that could see them blockade their children's school in a bid to improve transport links in a rural community.

Pam Baxter, of Holme, is one of group of mothers who struggle to get a total of around 30 children to Queen Elizabeth School, in Kirkby Lonsdale, in the mornings.

The lack of any kind of bus service for her children prompted Mrs Baxter to find out how many other mothers could be in her situation.

She said: "The response I've had is immense. We just want to get the children to school. It's like Holme is not on the map."

The mothers have warned that they are prepared to block access to the school by parking their cars in a tight turning area reserved for dropping off students.

They have tried sharing cars and hiring expensive minibuses but some have children at other schools which means hours spent on the road every morning and evening.

Another mother, Sue McMinn, said Cumbria County Council was at fault because parents in Holme were offered the choice of QES without a bus service or Dallam School with a bus service, adding the situation could only get worse.

Schoolchildren from Burton-in-Kendal have a bus service to QES but live further away from the school than the Holme families affected.

The mothers have contacted bus firm Stagecoach to ask for a service but have been told there are no buses available.

The group of more than a dozen mothers has already met to discuss their plans and hope another bus company will be able to help them.

Cynthia Millar, operations manager (transport) for Cumbria County Council, said schoolchildren were only entitled to free transport if they went to their catchment area or nearest school, which in both cases was Dallam.

"There just aren't enough spare seats to go round," she added.

Roger Bingham, South Lakeland district councillor for Burton and Holme, said: "I'm battling to change the rules.

"I've always said that this is unfair for rural children who don't have a choice of school unless their parents take them."