Worried parents fear their children’s exam results could suffer unless improvements are made to a school bus service.

Their concerns come after pupils were left stranded at a bus stop in Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, twice in a week when Hedingham Omnibuses' service to Plume School, in Maldon, failed to show.

Michele Newman, of Southey Close, Heybridge, said her 15-year-old son Jack was among those affected.

She was particularly concerned that he almost missed a mock GCSE maths exam.

She said: “Fortunately he managed to get a lift with a friend’s neighbour so just made it in time, but it could have been a disaster in May or June.

“If it continues then a fair few parents will be facing a dilemma come exam time."

Jon Sutton, deputy manager of Hedingham Omnibuses, said: “We are carrying out a full investigation into what happened.

“It’s an ongoing investigation at the moment, so we cannot comment until that is completed.”