I AM writing following the news that the 445 service from Bearwood to Allenbourn Middle School is to be withdrawn.

I use this service on a regular basis as I work at Allenbourn Middle School.

The bus service is always well used and is a lifeline for those parents who cannot take their children to school because of work commitments.

In addition, the traffic congestion in Wimborne at school term time is terrible. With the bus service being withdrawn the congestion outside of local schools will become near gridlock point.

I realise that for Bearwood students this school is outside the catchment area, but what about parental choice?

Also children who are currently in the middle school system at Allenbourn will face the daunting prospect of joining a Bournemouth school two years into their system as most Bournemouth schools follow a two-tier system of transfer at the end of year six.

There are also some students from Bearwood who attend Queen Elizabeth's school in Wimborne and because of the important stage in their education would find it very difficult to transfer to another school.

I have tried to contact Poole council, who have withdrawn their subsidy for this service, to raise my concerns, but have never received a reply.

As for me, it will be a two bus journey from the end of May.

But it's not about me, but about the children who attend Allenbourn who will have to move away from where they are settled with their friends through no fault of their own.

I hope that Poole council will consider them and think again.

PATRICIA HEDGES

Paddington Grove, Bournemouth