READERS of the Hexham Courant online took to social media to share their views on the news that free home-to-school transport had been refused at Bellingham Middle School.

Northumberland County Council’s transport policy states that transport will be provided to children who live within a school’s catchment area or to a school that is nearest to their home.

ASHLEY HICKS SAID: “Taking away a catchment area to a rural school is disgusting!!How is it good for the environment if we all have to get in our separate cars & drive our children to school?! It does not help with congestion outside of school either with limited parking & drop off area. This also means that there is a higher risk of a traffic accident!! Yet there is some idiotic big wig sitting there thinking it is acceptable!! It is also unacceptable that my child should stay in a primary school & be the only one in the year. This is not good for their mental well being if they have no friends around them!!!”

SARAH SMITH SAID: “Such a great school, science labs, cookery classes with actual food, art, design and technology room with equipment, specialist subject teachers. Hopefully raising awareness of how it is being treated will help retain it for our young, rural children.”