STUDENTS returning from a trip in France were stranded at the side of the road in Kent for six hours overnight on Sunday.

Years 7 and 8 children at Rednock School, who had visited Normandy and Paris after leaving on Thursday on the trip, were expected back home at 1am on Monday morning but did not arrive until 10am.

The coach they were travelling back on had a burst tyre a few miles after arriving back in the UK but a replacement was not fitted until six hours later.

Parents have criticised a “lack of communication” from the school to explain the full details of the delay.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said that they had been told nothing from the school about the issue.

They said: “We have been told nothing by the school about what happened.

“All we knew was that there had been some problems with the coach and that they had been stuck somewhere in Kent.

“Some parents even offered to drive out to pick their kids up but we didn’t know where they were.

“There are a lot of unhappy parents now who want to know what happened.”

Rednock School headteacher Dave Alexander has asked the coach company for a full investigation into why it took six hours for a replacement tyre to be fitted.

“I have asked the coach company for a full investigation as to why it took 6 hours for the tyre to be replaced,” he told the Gazette.

“The students and the staff were sent home to rest and get some sleep - they have been up since 5am on Sunday morning.

“Once everyone is back in school, we can get the complete details of what happened. 

“We are pleased that everyone is back safe and sound as that is our priority.”

Parents of children on the trip will be contacted by Mr Alexander today once he has the full details of what occurred.