A SCHOOLGIRL is being barred from York buses because drivers don't believe that she is only 13, her angry mother claimed today.

Melissa Loosemore, of Thoresby Road, Acomb, was allegedly left in York city centre on Saturday because she couldn't afford to pay the full fare.

But the bus company said she got off the bus of her own accord.

Melissa complains a First bus driver would not allow her the half fare to which she was entitled, despite her having an identification card approved by York Police and signed by a solicitor.

Her mother, Sonia, said: "This is certainly not the first time that this has happened, and we've actually got a letter from First in the past apologising for its happening.

"She does look old for her age, but she had an official Citizen identification card which showed that she's only 13.

The driver told Melissa that the card she had was not valid, and she needed different identification called a Yo-Zone Card.

Her mother said that card was only issued to people over 14 years old. Melissa's 14th birthday is in November.

"At 13 years old I don't want her walking home on her own, and she had to hang around York city centre until I drove through to pick her up," said Sonia.

"The driver had told her she had to pay the full fare of £1.35, but she only had £1.10 in her purse. He said that wasn't his problem and told her to get off the bus."

Paul Bell, First's operations manager, said: "The driver's report says that a young lady got on the bus brandishing a card he had never seen before, who appeared much older than she said.

"He told her he wasn't sure if he could accept the card, and she got off the bus. She was not asked to get off the bus.

"First's policy is never to ask young people to get off the bus. If they can't afford the full fare, then we take their name and address and ask them to pay later. It appears this young lady left the bus of her own accord."

Updated: 11:54 Monday, May 20, 2002