In the wake of the collapse, local authorities have been working overtime to get replacement services in place.

Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire council chiefs said they were giving priority to school bus services, while working to secure help on other routes, after a large transport hole across the area was left by the departure of GHA.

Wrexham council’s lead member for environment and transport, Cllr David A Bithell, said: “The authority was made aware at very short notice that coaches from GHA Coaches would not operate on Thursday morning.

“Our priority at the moment is to ensure that our statutory services such as home to school transport are maintained and all pupils get to school.”

A Wrexham council spokeswoman added: “We are doing everything we can to minimise this disruption, however, the loss of such a major transport operator will inevitably have consequences for the immediate future.”

Inside a GHA Bus in Ruthin

Denbighshire local authority said it was giving “urgent priority” to school pupils who were eligible for free school transport.

But the council warned not all routes would be covered immediately and there will be “some gaps” in service until vehicles from other suppliers could be arranged.