A LARGE increase in the number of cars in the daily school run is a serious danger to children, MPs said today.

The number of pupils travelling by car has almost doubled in 20 years - with 41 per cent of primary, and 24 per cent of secondary pupils, driven to school, says the Commons Education Committee.

But the MPs say many of these journeys are under two miles and, during term time, one in five cars on urban roads is taking children to school.

"The increase has reached critical proportions and is a serious cause for concern in terms of its detrimental impact on the environment and on children's health and well-being," say the committee, whose members include Bury North MP David Chaytor.

"Congestion around schools inconveniences local residents and poses a serious risk to those children who wish to walk or cycle," add the MPs.

The committee have been studying the government's draft School Transport Bill which aims to cut road congestion and would allow local councils to charge some parents for school transport. At present school buses must be provided free to pupils living beyond two or three miles.

But the committee say the Bill does little to encourage councils to bring in new schemes and there is no extra funding.

The cost of providing free transport for around 700,000 pupils in England has risen to '662m since the year 2000.

The committee conclude that the government seemed confused about its plans since they were offering parents more choice, while trying to force more children to walk or cycle to their local school.

"We are convinced that action is urgently needed to improve home to school transport, which suffers from outdated legislation, spiralling costs and a worrying trend towards the use of private cars, presenting risk to the environment and to children's health and well-being," say the committee.