IT will come as astonishing news to people that some of our most vulnerable children could be taken to school by drivers who have not been vetted.

It will also be a shock to know that Worcestershire County Council has no formal policy on the issue.

The education/lifelong learning policy advisory panel has now moved to close this glaring gap in the council's policy.

Some 368 escorts are currently employed by the contracting directorate. These are, in turn, supervised within fleet services with support from day centre managers and headteachers.

Councillors expressed concern over this convoluted system and the fact that drivers were not necessarily vetted. There was also a question about whether the drivers carried any form of official identification.

There are too many questions about a vital service involving one of the most vulnerable sections of society.

Our local authorities have a duty to ensure that there is no question of our children being put at risk.

They have a duty to ensure that drivers -- who, we are sure, are caring, suitable and responsible individuals -- are properly vetted and entirely suitable to the task.

The drivers themselves will welcome a tightening-up of the system and the security which comes with official endorsement.

Because we all know just how devious paedophiles are when it comes to exploiting weaknesses and oversights in the system.

And we all know the tragic events which can unfold when they are not stopped in their tracks.

The full council has now been told to take a close look at the system and act accordingly. This must be done with the utmost urgency.

It will not only ensure that drivers are given proper status but will stop, and deter, any undesirables. It will secure our children's safety.