CHILDREN as young as four could face travelling to school by bus or taxi when Malvern Hills Primary School closes.

The 54-pupil school was this week told it will be shut down next August when its remaining children will all have to find new schools.

Worcestershire County Council, which has made the decision, says there are 188 spare places at local schools.

Those pupils who cannot be found places at schools within two miles (for under-eights) or three miles (eight-11s) will be put in buses or taxis paid for by the county council.

Chairman of governors Dinah Sage said everyone involved with the school had wanted it to stay open.

"We're very, very disappointed and unhappy about the decision to close the school and we're very concerned about what will happen to the children."

She said she didn't see how children could all be fitted in at nearby schools.

"Lots of parents don't have cars and the majority of children at the school at present walk or cycle," she said.

In July, a survey showed that 45 out of 57 children walked or cycled.

She said she was very concerned it could take mums with four-year-olds, perhaps with pushchairs and toddlers in tow, up to an hour to walk their children two miles to another school.

Even the parents of eight-year-olds would probably want to take their children to school and then the distance would be three miles, or 12 miles a day for the mums.

"The children are happy and settled where they are. Changing schools is disruptive and some children are very vulnerable," she said.

Worcestershire County Council has refused to give a breakdown of where the empty places are, saying it may give an unrealistic impression to parents as spaces may only be in particular age groups.