Children escape 'biblical storm'

Other vehicles were towed out of even higher water levels

A party of Teesside schoolchildren escaped unhurt after being caught in what Lake District rescuers called a "biblical storm".

The teenagers, who were in two coaches from Huntcliff Comprehensive in Saltburn, were on a field trip when they became stranded near Keswick.

Staff from a nearby mine used tractors to tow the coaches after the River Derwent burst its banks.

The school said no-one was hurt and the youngsters were returned home safely.

The pupils were on a geography field trip on Thursday which was washed out by torrential rain and gale force winds which swept Cumbria.

Extreme weather

They opted instead to visit Honister Slate Mine, which is situated at the top of one of England's steepest mountain passes - Honister Pass.

When conditions deteriorated even further, the school party headed for home, but it became apparent the coaches could not get through a flooded small road leading away from the tourist attraction.

Mine owner Mark Weir said: "We are used to extreme weather being at the top of a mountain, but I have never seen anything like this.

"It was like a biblical storm. The wind is so strong that all the rain coming down the mountains in streams, is blowing back uphill.

"The kids were all ok and they'll certainly remember coming to the Lake District."

Huntcliff head teacher Ruth Headdon praised the efforts of mine staff and said all the pupils returned unharmed.

Several flood alerts remain in force throughout Cumbria.