A WINCHESTER primary school has joined a chorus of protest over proposals to slam the brakes on free bus travel to faith schools.

Hampshire County Council is considering axing subsidised transport for new pupils at denominational schools from September, 2007.

It currently spends £564,000 a year on "discretionary" transport to church schools.

Across the county, 1,374 Catholic and Anglican pupils benefit from the scheme, which is worth an average £411 per child. David Kirk, executive county councillor for education, who will make a final decision on May 25, said the spending needed to be reviewed in a tough financial climate.

Mr Kirk claimed that non-Christian faiths, such as Muslims and Jews, could demand free bus travel to schools as far away as London under European human rights legislation.

He said: "In the Home Counties, Jewish and Muslim children are being bused into London for schooling."

But St Peter's Catholic Primary School, in Oliver's Battery Road North, has warned that stopping the subsidy could jeopardise its new minibus service, put more cars on the road and increase congestion at bottlenecks, such as Romsey Road.

The bus service was officially launched by Mr Kirk and leader of the council, Ken Thornber, last year.

In a letter to the council, deputy chairman of governors, Sue Broadbent, said children currently using the bus and unable to travel by car could be forced to leave the primary school which has a catchment area stretching from Sutton Scotney to Twyford.

The proposals have also met with considerable opposition from governors and parents at St Anne's Catholic School in Southampton.

In a letter to parents, chairman of governors, Claire Fearon, said the loss of free transport would be "a serious blow" for the comprehensive school.

At present, 160 Catholic girls, who live between three and 10 miles from St Anne's, receive a free bus pass.

Public consultation on the changes ended on April 21. Proposals also include free bus passes only for those eligible for free school lunches and charging £1 per day - about £200 a year.