THE school route which has caused the biggest headache for bus managers is from Broughton to Coniston and in 1992 there were protests about the planned use of double-deckers on narrow roads with steep hill section and tight bends.

The Mail, on November 12, noted: "An elite team of drivers will be in charge of double-deckers when they begin controversial bus services between Broughton and Coniston's John Ruskin School."

Special test runs were carried out for parents, school governors and members of Duddon parish council.

School prefects would travel on both decks of the bus.

The prefects were there to maintain discipline and would report directly to headteacher Christine Ditchfield.

One of the buses skidded on ice and hit a wall in December 1993 while carrying 72 children.