Ysgol Plas Coch is less than three miles from the children's homes

A group of 10 adults and 18 children - some in buggies - walked to the Welsh-medium Ysgol Plas Coch in the Summerhill area of Wrexham on Tuesday.

They were planning on showing how dangerous the walk to school would be for the children, but were surprised just how long it took and say it will take even longer during poor weather.

However, the council says it is having to make the cuts as a way of saving money. It is not required to provide buses to school for pupils living under three miles away.

"The suggested route took us one hour 35 minutes, walking at a reasonable place, " said Sue Mcgrane, one of the parents opposing the bus cutbacks which are due to be introduced in October.

"On that basis parents - many of whom have younger children - will have to leave for school at twenty past seven every morning."

Saving money

"Even worse children coming back home after a long day at school are going to find their concentration is shot and there is going to be an accident."

Mrs Mcgrane said she knew some parents would have to withdraw their children from the school because they would be unable to accompany them there on foot.

Wrexham MP John Marek accompanied parents on their walk to school on Tuesday, and campaigners say they also have the backing of fellow MP Ian Lucas as well as local councillors.

Plans to axed the bus service forn pupils were delayed last year after lobbying.

However, Wrexham Council leader Shan Wilkinson said the authority had to constantly look at school transport and find ways of saving money.

"Our school transport budget is �2m a year, and obviously I'd rather we spent that money on school books and support for special needs and so on - rather than school transport," she said.