A MUM who fought the “ludicrous decision” to deny free school travel to just one of her two sons has won a resounding victory.

Helen Turvey was astonished last month when county officials said eldest son George, 13, was entitled to free travel, while younger brother Robert, 10, was not.

She blasted the move as petty officialdom gone mad, especially as her boys attend the same Wimborne school.

But after the Daily Echo highlighted her case, Dorset County Council ruled to sanction free travel for both boys.

Mrs Turvey, of Corfe Mullen, said: “I’m glad its all over, but its just been horrendous to go through.

“We’re absolutely thrilled, but there’s been an amazing amount of red tape for what was an obvious decision to make in the first place.

“After Robert was first refused, I received a letter saying the decision was going to a panel for appeal.

“I was able to have my say. I just told them there was no way my boys were going to change schools.”

Problems started when Mrs Turvey’s family was temporarily re-housed, from Wimborne, in March.

Her boys were faced with a daily three-and-a-half mile trek to Allenbourn Middle School, across the busy A31.

Mrs Turvey, who has no car and struggles on income support, could not afford the £8 daily bus fare, so she contacted the county council for their free travel entitlement.

But county officials refused to put Robert on the free scheme, citing a complicated three-tier government system as the reason.

A county council spokesman – who said she was unable to comment on individual cases – said: “Families who are refused transport support have the right to appeal.”

The children’s and adult services appeals committee is comprised of county councillors.