Proposals to reduce the number of children getting free transport to school have been slammed by Epping Forest's Liberal Democrat councillors.

Currently infant children have to live one and a half miles and junior children two miles from school before they qualify for free transport.

Proposals by Tory county councillors to increase the distances to two and three miles respectively have been slammed by Epping Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Whitehouse and Buckhurst Hill councillor Ann Haigh. They say plans to increase the distance will result in more cars on the roads and more congestion around schools.

However the cabinet member for schools Iris Pummell, Conservative, says the decision is yet to be made and is currently out on consultation.

Mrs Haigh said: "If these proposals are implemented they will lead to more cars on the road and more congestion around the school gate. This will affect many families, especially in rural areas, who may now need to drive their child to school or face up to a six-mile round trip to walk with them."

Mrs Pummell said: "We've had a really difficult budget this year. We're the only county in the country that is actually so generous; the Government standard is two miles for infants and three miles for junior schools.

"A decision has not been made; all we are asking is to go out to consultation."

Mrs Pummell said if the proposals went through then children already at school would not lose their concessionary travel.

The Liberal Democrats have urged the county council to publicise the proposals so everyone can have their say.