A number of school bus routes in North Lanarkshire have been cancelled the night before local children returned to school.

The BBC reports Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), who organise contracts for North Lanarkshire Council, failed to find drivers for more than 40 routes. The cuts affected 26 primary and secondary schools in the area.

It says SPT has apologised and is trying to secure transport on a temporary emergency basis for pupils.

North Lanarkshire Council said SPT only informed the council of the issue on Tuesday and branded it “wholly unacceptable.”

The BBC adds SPT said a number of bus operators had declined a number of approved and awarded contracts at short notice in North and South Lanarkshire.

(Picture – Yay Images)