A council is to take a detailed look at the amount of money it spends on taxi fares as part of a major review of its transport policies.

New figures show cabs hired by West Sussex County Council cost £2.7 million a year.

The bulk of the money is spent by the education department, which pays for taxi journeys to school for children with special needs.

A report published this week showed it costs £11.90 per day for each of the 1,099 pupils.

Another £300,000 a year is spent on taxi fares by the social and caring services department, for children in council care, either to get them to school or for trips to their families.

The use of taxis is one of the areas being studied, which will lead to an overhaul of the council's transport schemes.

The list also includes the £2.1 million spent every year subsidising loss-making bus routes.

The report says £13 million a year is spent by County Hall on transport and the review is aimed at improving efficiency and developing public transport.

The report says the use of taxis is constantly under review.

Ways of cutting the bill being looked at include using minibuses to transport children with special needs.

The report said: "Savings made by using different transport could have a significant impact in reducing costs and releasing funds for other purposes."

The report will be seen by the council's Cabinet member for environmental services, Tex Pemberton, who has called for a fresh look at transport services paid for and run by County Hall.

The review could lead to more money being put into bus services after the report said West Sussex spent less than the national average.

The report said: "Bus operators are withdrawing services and the council is having difficulties in replacing them."