A SEVERELY disabled teenager will be forced to travel to school with a new escort after his carer of seven years was told she was no longer needed by the county council, his distraught mother claims.

Jeanette Morgan, whose 13-year-old son Jonathan cannot speak and has no muscle control, is terrified of the impact that breaking the close relationship her son has with the escort could have.

Miss Morgan says transport company Kestrel has had its contract with the county council terminated.

She is urging parents of the other seven youngsters driven to Manor Park by Kestrel to sign a petition demanding the decision be reversed.

"I have to explain to my son she won't be there any longer," said the 36-year-old, of Little Park, Chawson, Droitwich.

"I think he will be upset. He gets very frustrated anyway, but his carer knows him and can cope with his behaviour.

"That's the whole point, she knows these children and how they behave."

Miss Morgan has vowed to contact social services and demand a taxi and an escort to the school if she is not satisfied with the new service.

"The children usually have a big bus to take them because there's a variety of children, from meek and mild to those who bite and scratch, so it's important they all have their own space," she said.

"In the long run, if the seating is close together, I will have to speak to social services.

"If one child is put at the back of the bus and another at the front, it is for a reason."

No one from the county council or Kestrel were available for comment as the Evening News went to press.