A GOOD Samaritan has offered to help a family forced to send their three-year-old to a school a mile away - instead of to one they can see from their garden.

Amber Harris starts school in September.

But demand for school places in North Swindon is so intense that the nearest school that has a space for her is a mile away at Shaw Ridge.

The family had wanted her to go to Lydiard Tregoze Primary School, just 100 yards from the family home.

Disappointed dad Chris Harris, 37, told the Advertiser last week how the council decision meant he could not walk his daughter to school.

He says he has a heart condition which means walking a mile could kill him.

But after seeing the Adver's story, mum-of-two Joanne Bennett, of nearby Friesian Close, said she would take Amber to Shaw Ridge Primary every day.

"Reading Amber's story was difficult and I felt I really wanted to help," the registered childminder said.

The family heard earlier this month that Amber could not go to the school they had wanted her to attend.

The council said that the family, who live on Walter Close, did not live in the primary school's catchment area.

Chris and mum Kerry, 28, knew they couldn't get Amber there as the family does not own a car and Kerry, as Chris' full-time carer, must not leave his side in case of an emergency.

The family is appealing against the council's decision.

Joanne, 37, has been an Ofsted approved childminder for eight years.

With children Aimee, five, and James, eight, already at the school she says that she would be happy to see Amber safely there and back every day.

She said: "I read that Amber was nervous anyway because her best friend would be at Tregoze.

"But hopefully walking to Shaw Ridge will give her the chance to talk to the other children and make new friends.

"Of course I am still hoping her appeal goes through and her parents can take her to Tregoze.

"But I hope by at least offering to take her to school I am taking some weight off their shoulders."

Joanne cares for eight children aged two to 14 years old - not including her own.

Chris said: "It is a very kind gesture that we both appreciate.

"Of course we are hoping we can get Amber into Tregoze because I really want to walk her to school myself. But it's good to have options. It is a very nice offer."