Mother Michelle Gray with her daughter Imogen, right, and friend Haidee Clarke, centre Picture: MATTHEW SWINGLER Ref: 76855-78THE mother of a 13-year-old girl who was kicked off a bus for not having 40p says the action was irresponsible and she could have been harmed.

Michelle Gray, 41, is furious with Thamesdown Transport after she claims one of its drivers left her daughter Imogen and her 12-year-old friend Haidee Clarke in a country lane.

Thamesdown Transport says it is investigating the situation.

Mrs Gray said: "They could have been abducted, run over or anything.

"They were two miles from home in the middle of no-where on a dangerous road.

"They didn't have any money and the driver said they had the wrong tickets.

"They asked if he could drop them two stops down so they could use a phone and he wouldn't."

The two friends were on the number 53 service from the Link Centre, in West Swindon to Purton at 3.40pm on Tuesday.

They had bought day passes for £1.60 each in Shaw earlier in the day.

Thamesdown Transport says the day passes are only valid on urban services.

And, just before the bus got to Lydiard Millicent, the driver told the girls they would have to buy new tickets at 40p each or get off. They did not have enough money to buy the extra tickets.

Secretary Mrs Gray, of the Peak, Purton, said: "I fully appreciate that they had the wrong tickets.

"But they told him where they were going so why did he let them on the bus in the first place?

"He shouldn't have let them on and then dumped them in the middle of nowhere.

"You think your children will be safe on public transport from the bus driver at least.

"If anything had happened I don't know what I would have done."

It took the youngsters more than an hour-and-a-half to walk home to Purton.

"They had no way of getting in touch so they had to walk," Mrs Gray said.

"Parts of that road don't have any pavement and the traffic comes flying along.

"It was irresponsible and I'm worried it could happen again to other children."

John Owen, the managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said: "Obviously we were sorry to learn of what is alleged to have happened and we are making a full investigation into the circumstances.

"The driver has been interviewed and his account of what took place is a little different but our investigations are continuing.

"At the conclusion we will take the appropriate action with the driver."

Gareth Bethell