A BROTHER and sister were thrown off a bus after buying saver tickets in an effort to make "greener" school journeys.

Now First Manchester bus company has apologised for the incident which they say arose because the driver became confused.

Linda and Paul Marshal were ordered off a bus in Leigh town centre because they were told their £3 weekly savers they bought earlier that day were invalid.

Yet Linda and Paul Marshall's mum, Joyce, said they had bought their tickets that same morning and used them on the journey to and part way from their school, Hesketh Fletcher High at Atherton.

She was angered when another driver refused to accept the passes and the 13-year-olds were forced to walk home in the dark.

Mrs Marshall said: "It was the first time they had gone by bus. We decided to use the bus services and leave the car at home and help the environment.

"They bought the tickets which cost £3 each off the driver at the stop outside the Tamar pub. They went to school all right and were OK returning to Leigh town centre.

"But when they tried to get on as connecting bus in Twist Lane they driver would not let them use the passes.

"It seems incredible this could happen and dangerous for them to walk home in the dark."

A bus company spokesman said: "Two weeks ago a new weekly ticket, FirstWeek, was launched which provides travel on any First Manchester bus in the Leigh, Wigan, Bolton, Bury and Rochdale areas for seven days at £6.50 for adults and £4.10 for children.

"However there currently remains a Leigh only weekly ticket available at £3.

"The introduction of FirstWeek has caused a little confusion with some of our drivers and we can only apologise for the unfortunate incident involving the two children.

"We have taken steps to further clarify the situation regarding weekly tickets with all of our drivers."