PUPILS could lose their right to free school transport under a rule change being forced on the county council.

Education chiefs are unable to estimate exactly how many children could be affected but county council leader Cllr Paul Carter said he was concerned that children could lose out when it comes into force next year.

The change means that the eligibility of children for help with transport costs will now be based on how far they live from the school as the crow flies, rather than distance by road.

The change has been forced on Kent County Council following a ruling from the local government ombudsman, the council’s watchdog.

The ombudsman has raised concerns about Kent’s use of “ease of access” to decide whether a child should qualify for free school transport, saying it is confusing. As a result, the distance to be taken into account will be based on a straight line from their home to the relevant school.

Cllr Carter said: “Children who were entitled to free transport may have it taken away from them.”

However, the county councillor responsible for schools said the impact may not be signficant.

Cllr Leyland Ridings (Con) said: “We expect it will make very little difference. Any child who receives it now will continue to do so. It is only new people joining the scheme in 2007 who will be disadvantaged.”

KCC’s scheme allows pupils under the age of eight to claim assistance if they live more than two miles from school; if they are over the age of eight, the distance is three miles.

KCC spends around £14million on school transport each year, a sum that primarily covers free school transport but includes other costs such as help for special needs pupils.