A PONY and trap has been pressed into service to do the school run.

Helen Luton-Hughes, of Riley Hill, Cradley, is picking up her two children from Suckley Primary School by alternative means due to the fuel crisis.

"It's a case of having to," she said, "I was running very low on diesel."

"The children didn't know they were coming home by pony and trap, but I think it's the only way of getting them to school and back."

Six-year-old Adam and three-year-old Kathleen, who is at the playgroup in Suckley, travel the three and a half miles back to their home in the open air.