PARENTS could soon be behind the wheel of school buses in Dorset because of a desperate shortage of coach drivers.

County council transport chiefs are backing a new driver recruitment initiative, although they stress prospective drivers will have to reach certain standards.

Passenger transport manager at Dorset County council Eric Horniblow said the driver crisis was a national problem.

"Many operators are finding it hard to replace drivers who leave and are then surrendering the route," he said.

To beat the skills shortage, Blandford-based coach company Damory Coaches wants to encourage parents - or anyone else interested in working part-time - to gain the qualifications they need to take charge of the school bus.

Manager Ian Gray said: "The job would suit somebody looking for part-time work - either semi-retired, or a mother, whose children attend the school.

"This could lead to job sharing schemes or other flexible working arrangements. Clearly, if the driver was also the parent of a child attending the school in question, this would offer an excellent opportunity for liaison with the school.

"The system might also be extended to school visits and other uses."

Mr Horniblow stressed all school bus drivers had to reach the standard required to obtain a PCV driver's licence.

And he added: "Many school bus drivers attended the schools they now serve and some have driven several generations of the same family.

"There is little doubt that behaviour on the buses is much improved when the same driver, who is known to the children and the school, is driving every day."

Mr Horniblow hoped other operators would follow suit if the scheme proved successful.

"The shortage of drivers is a national problem and I am sure many operators would welcome those interested with open arms," he said.