A HEAD teacher has slammed what he called "absolutely ludicrous" changes to a train timetable which, he claimed, were putting young lives in danger.

Ted Hammond, from Hagley RC High School, hit out at changes which meant youngsters now had to wait an extra half an hour on the platform at Hagley station for a train to Kidderminster - even though two passed through without stopping during that time.

He said watching two services pass through the station was frustrating as well as dangerous.

Mr Hammond said: "If there were no trains at all (passing through) then we could grin and bear it but all they have to do is stop. I can't see why it is so difficult. "

Delays have especially hit pupils from Blakedown. Those going to Kiddermin-ster could be home in six minutes on the 4.07pm train but only the 4.48pm now stopped at Blakedown.

A decision by operator, Central Trains, to put on a service at 3.32pm, had made things "even worse" as the school bell went at 3.35pm, Mr Hammond said.

Communications manager at Central Trains, Gerard Burgess, said: "There is an enhanced timetable on that line between Kiddermin-ster and Birmingham so there are now three trains an hour instead of two. To fit all that in we can't stop at every station."