Some of the children's brothers and sisters who do get free transport

The children were originally being taken eight miles from Cardigan to a Welsh-medium school at Crymych in Preseli by bus and paid for by Pembrokeshire Council.

But the authority then questioned why it was taking children from Ceredigion without payment and stopped the service.

Ceredigion Council then agreed to pay for some of the 15 children travelling from its area to Preseli but refused free transport for the three pupils from Cardigan, one aged 11 and two 12-year-olds.

Two of the children even have older brothers and sisters who are being given the free transport to the Preseli school.

What is amazing is that two of these children have elder siblings that also go to Preseli school and are being given free transport Michael Imperato

Cardiff-based solicitors, Russell Jones and Walker have started judicial review proceedings over the matter which could end up in the High Court.

Education specialist solicitor Michael Imperato says the children have a strong case.

"Parents of these children took the matter to a Ceredigion school transport appeal panel where the three I represent were still not given free transport," he said

"The panel thought they had discretionary powers on who had free transport but they have a duty enshrined in their policy to provide transport for these children

"Ceredigion Council has got in a right muddle over this one and we want them to discuss the matter with us before wasting taxpayers' money."

Although some of the children live within a mile of Cardigan Secondary School, Mr Imperato said this was not an issue.

'Split up families'

"These children want to go to a Welsh medium school and the next nearest one is at Dyffryn Teifi in Llandysul which is 17 miles away," said Mr Imperato.

"Ceredigion's own transport policy states that if a suitable school is more than three miles away from their home, even if it is in another county, it has to pay for pupils' transport.

"What is amazing is that two of these children have elder siblings that also go to Preseli school and are being given free transport.

"Do Ceredigion want to split up families by sending one child eight miles south and another child 17 miles east?"

No one from Ceredigion Council was available for comment on Monday.

A High Court hearing is expected to take place in March.