FOUR children who walked to school along a busy main road will now travel by bus - thanks to the Argus.

Elaine Rolfe, 40, walks four of her children aged between three and 10 to Llanover primary school along a fast stretch of the Abergavenny to Newport road.

At points the 70cm wide pavement is sandwiched between a six feet high wall and high speed traffic.

She and husband David contacted the Argus to highlight their fears, saying they were considering teaching their children at home because they were so worried for their safety.

Monmouthshire council originally turned down the family's request for places on the school bus because they lived too near the primary school. But after the Argus contacted the county council, the Rolfes were told their case would be reconsidered. Now a school bus is to pick up the youngsters.

Mr Rolfe, 41, said: "We got the letter saying the council were now prepared to take the children to and from school the day after the story in the Argus. We are very relieved and very grateful to the paper."

Mr Rolfe had considered educating his children at home because he did not want them to become "another statistic on the road of death."

He wrote to the council with a note from Llanover policeman Steve Ballinger who pointed out the risks of walking the route with young children.

PC Ballinger told the Argus: "I pointed out that it is an extremely narrow road with a wall on one side and fast moving traffic on the other. I think it is a significant hazard for four young children particularly in the winter."

Now they will be picked up and dropped off every day by the school minibus.

A spokesman for the council said: "We reviewed our position when we heard there were safety concerns on the route and were happy to be able to provide the service. Usually we only make provision for children who live more than 1.5 miles from their school unless safety is an issue."

* In the picture: Elaine Rolfe and the children who will now use school transport