WILTSHIRE Council chiefs have apologised after the first day at school began with “chaos and confusion” for dozens of students in the Malmesbury area.

Pupils anticipating their first of the new 2015/16 term on Tuesday last week were initially bemused after each being sent two bus passes.

And then, as they waited for the bus, one driver failed to stop, leaving youngsters scratching their heads and wondering they would make it on time for their first day at Malmesbury School.

One parent, who didn't want to to be named, told the Gazette & Herald: “Wiltshire Council made a blunder, sending out two separate bus passes to dozens of secondary school pupils.

“In Hullavington, one bus driver was so confused he drove straight past the bus stop missing five new Year 7 pupils heading for their first day at Malmesbury Secondary - only to turn back and rescue the scared newbies.”

A council spokesman said: “Due to an error by our supplier, some pupils accidentally received two bus passes. We have requested that the duplicates be returned.

“We apologise for any confusion this caused and we’ll be investigating it with the supplier to determine what happened, so we can take steps to prevent it occurring again.

“We understand there was an issue with a driver initially missing a group of Year 7 pupils, although he did return to pick them up very shortly after and there were no safety issues as a result.

“There can sometimes be teething problems at the start of the new term, however we hope this didn’t affect their first day at school and the service is now operating well.”