A CHILD with Down's syndrome who was left stranded at a bus depot after his school bus failed to drop him home has received an apology from the Vale council.

The boy, 13, a pupil at Ysgol y Deri in Penarth, was only found once the CJ Contract Travel minibus had returned to its depot in Barry.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has issued an apology for the oversight, adding that a full investigation was underway and that the bus company's contract to transport the pupil had been ceased.

They did however deny that the school bore any responsibility for the incident.

David Davies, head of achievement for all at the Vale council, said: “We are very sorry for the impact that this incident has had on the pupil and their family.

“This incident was an unacceptable failure on the part of the private transport provider and their contract for transporting this pupil was terminated with immediate effect.

“An investigation into the incident is now taking place in line with the All Wales Child Protection Procedures and appropriate action will be taken following its conclusion.

“While the investigation is still ongoing it is clear that no fault at all lies with the school, where staff acted swiftly to support the parents as soon as it became apparent that the pupil had not been returned home. Staff at the school are now providing counselling to this individual pupil."