PARENTS say moves to axe free transport to Anglican and Catholic schools is an attack on their right to educate their children within their faith.

Ledbury parents are planning to join a 'Free4All' public prayer meeting in the centre of Hereford on Tuesday to protest at any reduction in service from Herefordshire Council.

Around 50 also forced a discussion on the issue at the Community Forum meeting at St Katherine's Hall in Ledbury on Monday night.

Anglican and Catholic parents who specifically want their children educated in faith schools currently have the right to free bus transport.

Pupils from Ledbury attend schools like St Mary's RC in Lugwardine, St Joseph's RC primary in Ross, Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School in Hereford, Much Marcle CE primary and Eastnor CE primary.

Non-Christian pupils who also have to travel to those schools have to pay for a place on buses.

Following a legal letter from a parent in Ross, Herefordshire Council says it took advice from a Queen's Counsel and was told that the current arrangement may be discriminatory under the law.

The letter was sparked by a council decision to cut back on buses to St Joseph's, with paying parents losing out first.

The council's cabinet will have to make a decision on a new policy on Thursday. Its spokesman for children's services is Ledbury's Don Rule, who has to come up with a recommendation.

He said: "It's a difficult decision, obviously. I am a convinced Christian myself, so there is no question of being anti-faith. But following Queen's Counsel advice, we don't think that maintaining the status quo is an option."

The council's options include introducing free transport for everyone to faith schools, asking all parents to make a contribution or abolishing transport altogether.

Among concerned Ledbury parents is Di Webster, of Barnetts Close. She has one child, Benjamin, seven, at St Joseph's RC and another, Louie, four, due to attend the reception class this autumn. She said: "I feel it is discrimination against Christian schools."