PUPILS put a new school bus to the test on a trial run in Dorchester after a mix-up over its tax disc.

The youngsters, from St Osmund's and Thomas Hardye schools, jumped aboard the bright yellow vehicle on their afternoon run home.

They were given the road test as Dorset County Council tries out the American-style Scholabus before deciding whether to buy it for £100,000.

The trials were delayed because the bus's tax disc had been removed when its windscreen was replaced and had to be posted from its owners in Leicester.

Terry Spracklen, school transport co-ordinator, said: "There was a slight problem with the tax but now we want to try the bus out in as many locations as possible.

"We want to see how the vehicle copes and what the children and drivers think on as many different kinds of runs as possible."

The council hopes to try the bus out until early next week on routes where single and double-deckers are used in rural and urban areas.

It will be in Purbeck today, Sturminster Newton tomorrow and pick up pupils for Charminster St Mary's First School on Friday morning.

Bincombe Valley Primary School pupils will ride up to Kingston Maurward in it on Friday, before it is used to take Thomas Hardye students home in the afternoon.

The council is testing out the yellow bus as a possible replacement for its ageing fleet and because the vehicle has a good reputation for safety.

Sean Adams, the council's procurement officer for vehicles and fuels, said: "We will be taking a very good look to see what it can and cannot do."