PUPILS on a school trip drove back from London in a damaged coach after a pheasant flew into the front windscreen.

Pupils in Year 10 at Queen's Park High School, Blackburn, were travelling home from a tour of the capital on Wednesday when the incident happened.

But headteacher, Ian Bott, today said: "At no time was there any danger. The coach firm followed normal procedures. The coach arrived on time."

Andy Knowles, director of Accrington-based Rigby's Executive Coaches, said all health and safety procedures were followed to the letter and the pupils were in no danger.

"The pheasant struck the passenger side of the coach, cracking the windscreen, which is specially laminated to ensure glass does not shatter on to passengers.

"The driver pulled over and the teacher on board moved the children back down the bus before they carried out a full and thorough check of the windscreen," he said.

"We could not get a replacement windscreen or vehicle out within a reasonable amount of time and, as the screen had not moved and the driver had clear vision, they continued. They stopped at the next service station and taped it up as an extra precaution."