NORTH Yorkshire County Council has cancelled plans to increase the cost of an annual school bus pass for students over 16 by £70.

The proposal, which was made without consultation, prompted an angry reaction from parents and community leaders in rural areas.

The annual cost of a bus pass was £300 when first introduced but was later increased to £480 and was due to rise again in September to £550.

However, the authority announced this week that the cost of a pass would not be increased.

It added in a statement: "North Yorkshire County Council is very aware of the pressures on family budgets and the issues of school transport across our rural areas and has given these matters a great deal of thought.

"In the light of growing evidence of both the financial impact of changes introduced previously and efficiencies through re-procurement, the LA has decided to defer consideration of further increases to post 16 transport charges which were proposed for September 2015."

Upper Dales county councillor John Blackie, who campaigned for the council to cancel the increase, welcome what he called the council's "climbdown" at a meeting of the Richmondshire area committee at Tunstall village hall on Tuesday.

However, in a motion which was not supported by the committee he called for the authority to provide free transport to post-16s, adding that the high cost of a pass threatened to reduce the number of students going on to further education.

"Many people are potentially going to have to take an apprenticeship or a job rather than continue in academia simply because their parents can't afford to get them to and from school," he said.

Cllr Stuart Parsons added: "The charge for a bus pass is effectively a tax on families living in rural areas.

"Why should families have to consider moving to an area like Richmond or other towns just to ensure they can get their children to school for free?"