A STUDENT who caught a bus near Selby was given an IOU by the driver because he couldn't change a £10 note.

Today, Arriva Yorkshire expressed "concern" about the incident on Wednesday, which left teenager Will Thornton without enough money for his lunch.

Will, 17, of Ryther, near Selby, said he handed over £10 for the £1.40 fare, but was only given change for a fiver, along with a £5 "change voucher".

He said he was then told he had only seven days to use the voucher on another bus.

Will said: "There were other people on the bus and I was too embarrassed to make a fuss about it.

"To tell me I couldn't have my money back unless I caught another bus within seven days was totally out of order. I couldn't believe it.

Will, who is studying music technology at York College, caught the 42 bus at Cawood at about 11.15am on Wednesday.

He then had to catch a Park&Ride bus from York city centre to the college, in Tadcaster Road.

After allowing for his return journey home, Will then only had enough cash for a small sandwich at lunchtime and had to make do with a glass of water.

Will's mother, Jane Thornton, said: "It's ludicrous. The onus is clearly on Arriva to provide their drivers with adequate change."

Mrs Thornton said she had contacted Arriva's Selby depot and was told to call in at the depot to cash the voucher.

She said: "It would cost me nearly a fiver in petrol, and I'm not prepared to do that. It's a matter of principle."

Arriva Yorkshire's commercial director, Phil Booker, said: "I'm concerned to learn of the inconvenience caused to this young man.

"Unfortunately, there are occasions when drivers do not have enough change. When this happens, a change voucher is issued."

Updated: 12:23 Saturday, October 25, 2003