Row over free bus pass withdrawal

Reece's parents said they wanted him to continue at St Modan's

The parents of a schoolboy have threatened legal action after his free bus pass was withdrawn, partly because he was not a practising Catholic.

Stirling Council said the right was also withdrawn because the teenager was not a catchment pupil at the school.

Reece Swain received free bus transport to St Modan's Roman Catholic High School in Stirling from his home in Fallin for a year.

The authority said that the issuing of the pass was an oversight.

However, 13-year-old Reece's parents, John and Julie, accused the council of living in the "dark ages".

'Not entitled'

Mrs Swain, 34, said: "They actually told me that if I got him baptised, he'd have his free bus pass.

"But my husband and I aren't really any religion."

She added: "I don't want Reece to have to change schools. He has started at St Modan's and I want him to continue there.

Reece recieved free transport for a year

"If that means taking legal action, then I will consider this, as we are convinced the council is wrong."

Reece attended a Roman Catholic primary school because his parents thought it was better than the local school.

Last year, he continued from St Margaret's Primary in Cowie to St Modan's Roman Catholic High School.

A Stirling Council spokesman said that free home to school transport was only available to catchment pupils who qualified on grounds of either distance or suitability of walking route.

"In this case, since the child is not recorded as being a practising Roman Catholic and is not a catchment pupil, (he) is therefore not entitled to free home to school transport," said the spokesman.

"This should have been picked up when the pupil enrolled at St Modan's High School but it appears that this was overlooked."