A BUS company that ferried hundreds of children to schools in Poole and Bournemouth has suddenly ceased trading.

From today, Shamrock Buses of Holton Heath is no longer operating, putting 30 drivers and six mechanics, as well as several office staff, out of their jobs.

The company, which had been trading for around 10 years, drove routes between Wimborne and Verwood as well as in Bournemouth and had commercial and school contracts.

From today many parents will suddenly be faced with the problem of having to get their sons and daughters to school.

Borough of Poole had seven school contracts with Shamrock, covering Poole Grammar, Parkstone Grammar, Corfe Hills, Broadstone Middle and Oakdale South Road.

Bournemouth insolvency adviser Mark Liddle said he had been instructed to place Shamrock Buses, which has around 20 vehicles, into liquidation.

“The staff have been informed and have been laid off,” he said. “The reason why the company has ceased trading is primarily due to rising fuel costs and competition.”

Unite trades union representative Janet Wall said: “We had suggested possible ways to help them two weeks ago when it was first indicated there might be problems.

Obviously it was too little, too late.”

She added: “Councils are cutting back on funding for subsidised routes and school contracts.

“They are looking at different ways of saving costs as well.”

Bournemouth School emailed parents yesterday informing those whose sons used commercial services that they would have to get them to school, while Parkstone Grammar was seeking alternative arrangements from Borough of Poole.

“We were disappointed to hear of the demise of Shamrock Buses who have provided us with a good service for a number of years,” said Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation at the Borough of Poole.

“However we are talking to other bus operators to arrange emergency cover for the remaining weeks of the school term and hope to have something in place from Friday.

“We will be keeping schools informed of new arrangements and will ensure that all Shamrock school contracts are re-let in time for the new school year in September.”