CHILBOLTON children will no longer have to risk their lives walking to school - now they've won their appeal to get free school transport.

Free transport used to be provided by Hampshire County Council but in 1995 the policy changed and pupils who lived less than three miles from school were no longer entitled to it.

Parents appealed against the change of policy but it was rejected. Parents have since made a fresh appeal and this week councillor's, together with parents, pupils and school governors inspected the route - walking in the pouring rain from Chilbolton to Wherwell Primary School.

Afterwards, following a meeting, Hampshire County Council agreed the route was unsafe.

The route to the school from Chilbolton is about a 40-minute walk, along narrow country roads without footpaths or street lighting. During the winter months visibility is poor and children often end up very wet.

Headteacher, Mr Andrew King said: "It is a dangerous road. Some of it is outside the 30 mph limits and cars do come at quite a speed."

Of the decision to change the plicy he added: "We are absolutely delighted. We have been trying to get this for years," he added.

But after also inspecting the walk from Wherwell to the school the county council rejected the appeal for free transport for Wherwell pupils.

Mr King added: "We were disappointed about Wherwell pupils because there are some dangerous stretches and some people don't stick to the 30 mph speed limit."

During the appeal Hampshire County Council heard that a police traffic report showed that 1,771 vehicles use the roads and nearly one third exceed the speed limits.

Kate Edwards, a parent from Wherwell said: "Several times we have nearly been hit by a wing mirror.

"We have been living here for 18 months and we thought we would be able to walk to school but we were amazed."

Mr King said: "I stood outside the school recently and watched 75 cars come in and out of the car park in ten minutes, that should be cut quite considerably."

The county council hopes to have the transport in place after Christmas.