US pupils barred from London trip

Lots of American pupils take part in London's New Year parade

A group of US pupils has been banned by officials in Florida from taking part in London's next New Year's Day Parade, reportedly over safety fears.

Suggestions there was a risk of "trains blowing up" have prompted protests from the parade's organisers.

About 140 pupils at Fort Myers High School had accepted an invitation to perform at the parade.

But officials in Lee County ruled it was too dangerous, in the wake of the 7 July bombings which killed 52 people.

The parade's chief executive Bob Bone criticised Herb Wiseman, the official quoted as saying he was reluctant to send the pupils to London.

"How can he make a decision banning so many young people embarking on a cultural visit which they will remember for the rest of their lives without first bothering to find out the facts?" asked Mr Bone.

I wouldn't want to have kids in London that were going to come participate in some kind of festivity in Florida be told that it was unsafe Florida Governor Jeb Bush

He has written to ask the Lee County authority to reconsider, saying the trip was backed by the school and parents.

He also pointed out that the murder rate in Fort Myers was much higher than London's, and that it was prone to hurricanes.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush said the ban would be correct if the State Department advised people not to go to London, but that was not the case.

He added: "I wouldn't want to have kids in London that were going to come participate in some kind of festivity in Florida be told that it was unsafe."

In a statement, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said US citizens were among its most frequent visitors, and it would continue to welcome the people of Florida.

He added that London was among the safest places in the world.

The annual parade attracts thousands of performers from across the world.