It is hoped the new service will reduce congestion outside the school

About 25 children, aged between five and 11, who attend St Joseph's Roman Catholic School in Brighouse will be using the American-style vehicle when they return from the half term holiday on Monday.

Children from Rastrick, Woodhouse, Clifton, Field Lane, Toothill and Waring Green will be able to use the service which is organised by Metro and Calderdale Council and operated by First.

The brightly-painted bus is fitted with seat belts and there is a regular driver who checks children on and off to make sure no one is left behind.

School run

For the first two weeks the children will travel free of charge. After that they will have to pay fares.

It is hoped that the yellow bus will stop many parents taking their sons and daughters to school by car.

Calderdale Council's road safety officer Peter Shepherdson said: "Reducing the number of cars outside the school will make it considerably safer for the pupils."

Calderdale was the first area of the country to use yellow buses when they were introduced around Hebden Bridge nearly two years ago.

The idea has since been copied by other schools in West Yorkshire and elsewhere in the country.