The drivers of two school buses which encountered difficulties in icy conditions did everything by the rules - yet have ended up the subjects of a complaint.

The senior, experienced drivers judged that it would be too dangerous to try and drive up Marsh Lane, which was covered in sheet ice. After all, they were at the wheel of double-decker buses full of young people.

The drivers called the bus station and were told to stay put until the gritting vehicles arrived.

What happened after that is hardly surprising in this day and age. The drivers advised the young people to stay on board in the warmth.

This sound advice was roundly ignored as a number of students took matters into their own hands and left the buses on foot.

Some even used mobile phones to call for family help - with several 4x4 vehicles arriving to collect passengers from the stranded buses. Some students went to school, others walked back home, with in one case a parent claiming her son was told to leave the bus.

The real issue is this. The drivers, who acted professionally throughout, have absolutely no power to force passengers to stay on a bus.

Thankfully nothing happened to any of the children who made the choice to leave the buses.

The incident shows a total lack of respect and care, with the older students setting a bad example.

Those parents who collected their offspring should have known better. How many left names with the drivers, for example? How did the schools know where their students were?

All involved should take responsibility for their choices and stop blaming the drivers.