SCHOOLCHILDREN are the latest victims of bus route cutbacks in Droitwich Spa.

The First bus company has sent notice of deregistration to Worcestershire County Council, expressing the company's intention to discontinue various services.

Commercial buses which ferry town children to and from classes at Droitwich Spa High School, Westacre Middle School and Witton Middle School are among those to be axed.

Proposals to cut services in the town were revealed by the Advertiser in September.

The notice of deregistration now means county council transport chiefs have just 56 days to negotiate with the bus company over the future of the services affected by the cutbacks.

The authority's cabinet members for environment and sustainability, Councillor John Smith (Con - Evesham Hampton) said: "These notices are a clear expression of First's intention to discontinue with a significant number of services and the next step for the council is to consider the issue at their next cabinet meeting in December.

"Our chief concern at this time is transport provision for schoolchildren, however we must remember that these are not dedicated school buses but commercial services affected by commercial decisions.

"Over the coming weeks we will speak to schools and take a good hard look at how we intend to proceed.

"We already have a review of bus services ongoing and that will play an important part in deciding how we continue to help Worcestershire with public transport provision."

A spokesman for First was not available for comment.