A JURY has decided that the deaths of two school pupils who were swept to their deaths while taking part in a river walk at Settle in the Yorkshire Dales 18 months ago were accidental.

But two teachers remain suspended pending further inquiries by the local education authority in Leeds.

The teenage girls were among 10 pupils who have died on school trips in the last two years.

As teachers in schools across East Lancashire plan activity breaks for their pupils this summer should parents be worried? New advice has just been issued to supervisory staff.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends:

Teachers are taught how to carry out risk-assess- ment and understand it may be necessary to call off trips

Schools and local education authorities ensure teachers who are supervising are appropriately qualified

Parents should receive advice about the skills of the people who are supervising a trip their children are going on

Teacher training should include advice on how to manage educational or residential visits

However, Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, said it had reluctantly concluded that until society accepted the notion of a genuine accident it was advising its members not to go on school trips.