A student is set to rejoin her classmates after a battle with education chiefs which kept her off school for more than four months.

David and Lynda Richmond have kept their daughter, Annabel, 13, at home in Langton ever since the council agreed to pay for her bus to Norton College - but told her she must make her own way home along country roads or pay 35p for the bus.

Now, however, following a report by the Local Government Ombudsman, who according to Mrs Richmond was unable to help, Annabel will resume her studies on Monday.

"I feel as if I've been pushed into making a decision because at the end of the day it's Annabel's education that's on the line," said Mrs Richmond.

She said she was uncomfortable with the thought of her daughter walking along the isolated stretch of road, and fears she could be knocked down by a car or taken by a stranger.

"She's going back to school, but I'll not sleep and I'll be worried sick. It's not a case of if something happens, it's when. But when it does I'll play holy hell."

The Evening Press reported in October that Annabel was given a free bus pass last year because Mrs Richmond suffers from a muscle-wasting illness. However, the council has now said that because the distance from the family home to school - about two-and-a-half miles - is less than three miles Annabel is no longer entitled to the pass.

It has agreed to provide free transport in the morning because the route is used by racehorses.

Over the last four months Annabel has received homework from the college.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "As an education authority we do not want to see anyone missing out on lessons, and we are naturally delighted that Annabel will be returning to school."

Mrs Richmond said: "They've backed me into a corner knowing full well I'm concerned about Annabel's education and will eventually send her back."

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