Parents of children who use a subsidised denominational transport service in Wiltshire are being invited to an evening meeting to discuss plans to axe a Wiltshire Council subsidy for the scheme.

Currently Wiltshire Council funds the scheme to the tune of £150,000, allowing children who attend denominational schools more than three miles away from their home to catch specially provided school buses.

Parents make up the rest of the cost, but would be faced with a bill of hundreds of pounds more if the scheme is withdrawn.

Fears they would be unable to raise enough objection to the proposal because a meeting to discuss the issue was planned for the summer were allayed when the meeting was put back to September.

Campaigners had also argued for an evening meeting to allow more parents to attend.

Wiltshire Council hasnow announced a debate on the issue on September 8 at 6.30pm before a decision is made by cabinet members on September 13.

Henry Powell, senior scrutiny officer at Wiltshire Council, said: “The committee agreed that the rapid scrutiny exercise should include the opportunity for public participation. Following discussions, it has been agreed to hold the rapid scrutiny meeting in the evening, which will allow more members of the public to attend.”

The venue is likely to be the Bradford Road council offices in Trowbridge, but it is still to be confirmed.