In one case, a distressed 11-year-old child, who was left abandoned on a Thornton street, tried to find his way to school by using another bus – but ended up lost in Marton.

Keane Cantona-Murray's family had to go out and search for the Year Seven Hodgson High School pupil, after he got off at the wrong stop and didn't know where he was.

And yesterday he was forced to miss a whole day of school because he was left, with four other children, at the bus stop on Fleetwood Road North again.

Around 10 children have been reportedly left at the stops outside The Gardeners Arms and at Four Lane Ends on some days.

Operator Blackpool Transport says it has warned Lancashire County Council, which stipulate how many vehicles serve the school runs, about the problem.

Keane's mum, Suzanne O'Brien, 33, of Marsh Road, Thornton, said: "I was so angry. He couldn't get on the bus because it was full. He ended up getting lost in Marton. He was upset because he didn't know where he was."

Mrs O'Brien, a photographer for Family and Friends Portraits, lost out on £500 because she was forced to cancel an appointment with a wedding client to find her son.

A spokesman for Blackpool Transport said: "As soon as our drivers made us aware of this, we made the county council aware that it needs extra buses."

Millfield Science and Performing Arts College in Thornton also reported issues of over-crowding after the 568 service to Cleveleys centre was cancelled last year.

Headteacher Sean Bullen said: "We have complained about the reduction in buses."

The County Council says from today, the 546 service will not serve the Co-op bus stop on West Drive to ensure there are enough free seats available for children later in the journey.

Children currently using the 546 from this stop will use the 660 service to get to school.

Peter Brown, school bus network manager at the county council, said: "We are sorry for any distress and inconvenience caused."

Bill Allison, an assistant headteacher at Hodgson School, added: "We have been working alongside Blackpool Transport and Lancashire County Council to make the service more effective."