FREE bus travel for New Forest children over the age of eight will be scrapped if they live within three miles of their school.

The move will be implemented as part of an update to Hampshire County Council's home to school transport scheme. Councillors say the change will save £1.54m a year.

The decision has sparked fierce criticism from opposition councillors, with one labelling the decision "shameful".

However, officials voted 10-8 in favour.

Currently, children in years reception to three qualify for free transport if they attend the nearest catchment school and if they live more than two miles away. Children in years four to 11 must live more than three miles away.

Nursery children and those aged over 16 in education with special needs or disabilities currently get free transport, but this will stop from September.

Free transport for reception-age children will also be scrapped from September 2019 unless they live within three miles.

Lib Dem councillor Gavin James said: "We cannot afford to take our children to school. That is a sad state of affairs.

"These are taxpayers and we should give them a gold-plated service. They deserve it. They pay for it.

"We are talking about turning people's lives upside down."

Conservative councillor Russell Oppenheimer said: "If we had the money I think we'd love to provide home to school transport for pupils.

"However, residents have told us they want resource to be diverted to where they is the greatest need."