The council is reminding parents and guardians that they have just one week left to apply for school and college transport for the next school year.

Applications must be submitted to the Worcestershire County Council by July 31.

Any applications submitted after this date may not be assessed.

To apply, go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/SchoolTransportApplication.

Councillor David Chambers, cabinet member for Education at Worcestershire County Council, said: "School and College Transport is relied upon by a lot of parents and guardians across the county, so it's important that applications are submitted before the deadline.

"It takes a lot of work to process all the applications, so the earlier you respond the better."

Even if Post 16 students are yet to decide on their sixth form or college, they still need to apply by July 31.

They can update the choice of educational establishment in their application once a final decision is made.

If a student already receives school transport, including where payment is for a vacant seat, they don't need to apply again unless there is an update in their address, school/college, or if they have advanced to post 16 education.

Applicants don't need to re-apply if they have already submitted their application for the 2024/25 academic year.

Following the application, all communication, including payment requests, will be carried out via email.

As per the usual practice, the council will share offers of vacant seats on education contracts for non-eligible students after the October half-term, as eligible students will receive seat allocation first.

Parents or guardians seeking discretionary places for non-eligible students will be placed on a waiting list, and the Transport Team will initiate contact when they are aware of availability.

The council has advised that in the meantime, parents should arrange their travel own arrangements for September.