A BUS driver is facing disciplinary action after a number of Hampshire schoolchildren were left stranded on a major road.

The pupils, from Perins School in Alresford, were left to walk along the A32 in West Meon after the bus driver claimed a fallen power cable had prevented the bus from completing its full journey.

As a result the children were left to walk along the A32 unaccompanied.

Angry parents have taken to Facebook, saying they believe their children’s safety was not considered.

One parent said: “They were unable to head to West Meon and East Meon due to a power cable being down. I was lucky that along with another mum we were able to retrieve our children.

“The children’s safety is our priority.”

Another added: “I just can't get over the fact that these kids were literally dumped!”, while others said it was ‘utterly shocking’.

A spokesman for South and Southern Electric Networks (SSEN) said that a power cable in East Meon was brought down by ‘strong winds’ as a result of Storm Aileen on Wednesday afternoon .

The bus route travels through West Meon before reaching East Meon.

Stagecoach told parents that it would be ‘attempting’ the normal 67 bus route via Twitter.

Pete Robinson, Stagecoach Winchester local manager, added: “Stagecoach instructed the drivers to go to West Meon as far as they could.

“For whatever reason, that didn’t happen.”

Mr Robinson said he would like to apologise to all those affected by the incident.

Stagecoach confirm that disciplinary action is being taken against the driver.

Hampshire county councillor Jackie Porter said: “The school should do a full investigation so it doesn’t happen again. I will do my own investigation with the county transport service.”

Mark Nevola, deputy headteacher at Perins School, added: “We are happy that Stagecoach have taken it on board and are dealing with it in a serious matter.”