THE Traffic Commissioner for Wales has disqualified the bosses of a Pontypool bus company which transported pupils on an unsafe vehicle.

Nick Jones strongly criticised transport operator NJY Travel for putting profit before safety after learning that an unfit vehicle was used regularly for school services.

The industry regulator said the failings of licence-holder Nicola Yeates had led to an "appalling state of affairs".

Her licence was revoked indefinitely last month after a public inquiry at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

She had applied for the licence soon after her partner Raymond Williams had a transport licence revoked in late 2002.

Mr Williams was the transport manager of NJY Travel in Gladstone Terrace, Varteg.

In his written decision, the commissioner said the Iicence application had been made to "circumvent the revocation of Raymond Williams' licence", and that Mr Williams was "in reality the operator at all time".

He was disqualified from holding or applying for any position as a transport manager for an indefinite period.

Evidence from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency revealed that the vehicle had been stopped at a Iocal primary school and found to have multiple defects, including on one of the seat belts and for numerous brake items.

The couple have four weeks to appeal.