THE mothers of two special needs youngsters claim axing Redditch Community Transport escorts' jobs will have a massive impact on their children.

Collette Kearney's four-year-old daughter, Amy, is among about seven children bussed to and from Chadsgrove School, in Bromsgrove, by RCT.

County council contracts such as the Chadsgrove School run are being cancelled to curb financial losses.

Miss Kearney, of Ibstock Close, Winyates, said the children trusted their two escorts.

She said: "It's going to affect the children in a massive way. My daughter has profound disabilities, as do many others, and they are used to the escorts.

"These are vulnerable children and the news has sent shockwaves around the parents.

"We are desperate. If we lose this vital service, I think RCT should have a legal responsibility to get our children to school until they find someone else."

Mrs Woollaston, of Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross, said her son, Ethan, had cerebral palsy and severe gastric reflux, meaning he vomited when he was upset.

She said: "We knew eventually the escorts would be changed but we could have prepared for that. This has been dropped on us.

"Ethan isn't comfortable with just anyone. He has to be handled in a certain way because of his cerebral palsy and the escorts know this. They're fantastic."

A county council spokesman said: "The county council has met RCT to discuss operational matters and further meetings will take place to see what kind of provision we can put on for our passengers."