An autistic teenager has missed more than a fortnight of school after his council transport was withdrawn.

Martin Adlam had been picked up from his home in Hanworth and taken to and from Marjory Kinnon School in Bedfont each day since the age of seven.

However, the 15-year-old's family were told before the summer holidays that he no longer qualified for this travel assistance.

His grandfather Alan Courtis, with whom he lives, says Martin cannot travel independently on public buses as he gets very distressed due to his autism. He said the family were unable to take him themselves as Mr Courtis does not have access to a car and Martin's mother has epilepsy.

As a result, Martin has not attended a single day of school this term.

"Martin's always had council transport because the council assessment showed he couldn't travel by bus on his own," said Mr Courtis.

"He's very upset about losing the school bus and is very keen to get back to school. He loves that school, which has done wonders for him, but the council's transport department has shown no concern for his welfare."

"Does not meet criteria"

Hounslow Council said an assessment had shown Martin did not meet its criteria for council transport to school but he had been offered independent travel training through the charity Mencap.

Councillor Tom Bruce, cabinet member for education and children's services, said the priority was for Martin to resume his schooling as soon as possible and the school had been working with the boy's family to resolve the issue.

"We're committed to the principles of inclusion and to promoting greater independence for children and young people with special educational needs so that their experiences can be similar to those of their peers," he added.

"We recognise the importance of extending the range of travelling options available, so that the most suitable arrangements can be made to support individual needs.

"It is recognised that travelling to school as independently as possible is a valuable experience for young people as they grow up.

"In order to do this, we do provide support for young people with special needs to help them to learn the skills required for greater independence."

More children getting school transport

Hounslow Council said the number of schoolchildren with special needs for whom it provided council transport had increased recently from 695 in 2013/14 to 711 during the last school year.

It spent £4,724,387 on home to school transport last year - up from £4,271,156 in 2013/14.

The council said full figures for this academic year were not yet available as a number of reviews and appeals were ongoing.

Mr Courtis said he had challenged the ruling but was told his appeal had been unsuccessful. However, the council said it had not received an appeal from the family and invited them to make one, which it said would be considered by a panel of councillors.

The council said Martin was initially offered independent travel training during the summer but his family had rejected the offer at the time.

It said the family had since accepted the offer but the training could not now begin until October.

Mr Courtis said he had now appealed against the council's ruling. He denied turning down the offer of travel training for Martin during the summer.