It is feared Catholic schools in Staffordshire could be hit by a fall in pupil numbers if controversial plans to axe free transport are given the go ahead.

The warning comes amid growing opposition to the proposals from Staffordshire County Council, which would affect up to 1,500 pupils across the county and could be introduced from September 2011.

The council wants to save more than £1 million by charging £400 a year for each pupil needing transport to Catholic schools.

It claims the move will get rid of an unfair allowance which is only paid to Catholic famil­ies sending children to schools outside their catchment area. Other families of a different or no faith have to pay. But headteachers at Catholic schools have sent a letter to parents warning the changes could see a fall in the number of pupils at the school.

In the letter Blessed William Howard headteacher Phil Smith and other heads from Stafford’s Catholic primary schools object to the proposal and call for parents to support them.

It said: “We fundamentally disagree with these proposals because they will have serious consequences for the Stafford Catholic Schools Pyramid and their communities.

Deputy county council leader Ian Parry stressed no decision had yet been made — but claimed the current system was unfair.