Two coaches full of year eight St Benedict's School pupils have been caught up in a suspected attack in Calais late last night.

Seventy-three pupils and eight teachers were travelling to the port on two coaches provided by Reays to return home after a school trip.

It is believed something was thrown in front of the first coach, causing the driver to brake, and something was thrown at the windscreen of the second one.

Three teachers from the first coach sustained bumps and bruises.

Many of the children was asleep at the time. None of them were hurt.

Headteacher Ian Smith said he was contacted at about 11.30pm to say there had been an incident.

The coaches were deemed fit to travel and the children and staff are returning home today.

Mr Smith said: "The first coach approached the port and the driver saw there was an obstruction in the road and did an emergency stop.

"When he did, staff were collecting passports off the children. They weren't sitting down."

"These three staff were pushed against the seats. They received superficial bumps and bruises.

"None of the children were hurt at all."

Mr Smith said: "When it stopped, something was thrown at the front windscreen of the second coach."

He said the outer skin of the window cracked, but it did not shatter.

The coach drivers contacted Reays and the vehicles were deemed fit to travel.

The coaches were escorted to the port by the police.

He said the three staff, with bumps and bruises, have been checked out.

The group is due to return home today.

The school trip to France including a trip to Disneyland Paris was organised as part of the school's activities week.

A number of school groups have travelled to different countries including France, Switzerland and Germany.