SCHOOLCHILDREN are being turned away from school buses because of delays in processing applications for free passes.

Essex County Council says it may take as long as three weeks to send out some of the passes still awaited by hundreds of youngsters around the county.

In the meantime, drivers on school routes are turning children away if they can’t produce a pass.

One of the worst-hit areas is West Mersea, where all secondary school pupils qualify for free travel, as the nearest school is more than three miles away.

Mum Claire Clarke, of Reymead Close, said her 11-year-old son Ben, was turned away from his school bus on his first day at Thomas, Lord Audley School, Colchester.

At least eight other children at Ben’s bus stop suffered the same fate, she said. Mrs Clarke ended up driving Ben in. But she added: “Kids don’t want their mums driving them in on their first couple of days in Year 7. It’s embarrassing for them.

“The council told me to explain the situation to the bus driver and insist Ben went on the bus, but the driver wouldn’t listen and just drove off.

“It’s really irritating. His sister is at the same school and she has a pass, so obviously they can see he is going to be eligible, too.”

Nicola Spicer, Essex County Council spokesman, said the delay in issuing passes was because some parents had applied after June 24, the date by which forms were supposed to be sent in.

She said: “We are working through all applications received after the deadline.”