AN ANGRY mum has blasted county officials for the “ludicrous decision” to allow free school travel for one of her two boys... but not the other.

Helen Turvey was told eldest son George, 13, was entitled to free travel, while younger brother Robert, aged 10, was not.

This is despite the pair attending the same Wimborne school.

The problem started for Mrs Turvey when she was temporarily rehoused in Corfe Mullen, from a Wimborne hostel, earlier this month.

Her boys, who both attend Allenbourn Middle School, were then faced with a daily three-and-a-half mile trek across the busy A31.

Mrs Turvey, who has no car and struggles on income support, could not afford the £8 daily bus fare, so contacted Dorset County Council for their free school travel entitlement.

“But I received this letter saying they would only pay for George, but not Robert,” she said.

“The letter goes on to say this is because Allenbourn is not one of Robert’s nearest three schools.

“This is a ludicrous decision – I mean, they both go to the same school. We have been through a rough patch recently and Allenbourn has given my boys a real sense of security. I have already written to the council to appeal.”

Mrs Turvey says school staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“My boys were getting a lift with the caretaker one week, and the English teacher took them in another day. I cannot thank them enough,” she said.

A Dorset County Council spokeswoman said she could not comment on individual cases, but added: “The government’s rules for secondary aged pupils are based on two-tier systems.

“However, many local authorities operate three-tier systems which include middle schools that have both primary and secondary age pupils.

“As a result, there are occasions where a secondary age pupil could be entitled to transport support but a primary age pupil attending the same school may not.”