SCHOOL children could be left stranded as part of a major overhaul of bus services in Harwich that has been branded as "totally unacceptable".

Furious councillors and residents hit out at First bosses at a meeting on Wednesday.

After weeks of complaints about the service since the Harwich depot was axed, it has been announced that routes will be changed and some even scrapped in an effort to save cash.

As of September 1 students from Spring Meadow, St Joseph’s and Harwich and Dovercourt High School will either have no service running past their schools, or they will arrive at an inappropriate time.

Speaking at a meeting of Harwich Town Council where the new plans were revealed, councillor Garry Calver said: “I think we are all shell shocked at what we have been told.

“We were considering a bus service which was thought to be unsatisfactory but now it looks like we will be facing up to something which is totally unacceptable in terms of service.”

But Clacton depot manager Lee Berry said the changes were necessary as Essex County Council funding has run out.