Kent County Council has apologised to students left stranded by a mix-up with their Freedom bus passes.

The council says up to 80 pupils in the Canterbury area have been affected by a delay in issuing the passes, which give those aged 11 to 16 unlimited bus travel for a one-off payment of £50 a year.

Hilary Pryer, from Fordwich, complained that her two sons were among those affected.

They were given a letter issued byKCC as a substitute for the pass but Stagecoach drivers had no knowledge of the letter because the council initially did not tell operators it was issuing them.

Mrs Pryer said: “There seems to have been a breakdown in communication somewhere with the result that my sons, James, 11, and Taylor, 14, have got caught out by the problems.

“I spoke with the county council on numerous occasions and they let slip that they are behind with getting the passes out and have written to up to 300 parents across Kent.

“I don’t blame Stagecoach because it has actually been quite good and now issued us with a temporary pass until the proper ones arrive.”

KCC confirmed that up to 80 pupils in the Canterbury area had been affected by the delay but stated they were hoping to issue them all this week.

Head of transport and development David Hall said: “The majority of Kent Freedom Passes were issued for the start of term to pupils who obtained application forms early.

“However, we are sorry that there has been a slight delay in issuing the remaining passes during what is our busiest period.

“We apologise to pupils who have not yet received them for any inconvenience this has caused.

“All the pupils who received an initial covering letter from us have now been issued with a temporary photo card and this is being accepted by the bus operators.”