Anger after immigrant found beneath school bus

Perry Beeches Academy in Great Barr says the incident could now jeopardise future school trips.

The 35-year-old man, believed to be from Sudan, had ridden on the vehicle's axle after climbing underneath near the Eurotunnel Calais terminal in France.

When the coach, which was full of youngsters arrived back at Perry Beeches Academy, the man emerged from under the vehicle disorientated.

He was described as being 'disorientated' and in an 'awful state'.

Executive headteacher Liam Nolan said he was now being forced to consider where the school could continue to run similar trips in the future.

He also condemned the Government border controls.

Mr Nolan said: "We run this trip to Normandy for all our Year 9 pupils to learn about the history of the D-Day landings, learn about the heroes involved and provide them with a life experience.

"When you get to the Eurotunnel terminal, security takes everyone off the coach — staff, pupils and driver — and everyone has their passports checked.

"They then look inside the coach, and underneath, yet this man has got aboard without them noticing. The Government's Border Agency is now jeopardising the outstanding education we provide at Perry Beeches.

"Because of their incompetence, I am now in a position where I am seriously considering whether this is a type of a school trip we can do again."

Worried parents also reacted angrily.

"It is very worrying and I'll be thinking twice about letting my daughter go on school trips abroad in future," one parent said. "The man could have been anyone, its terrifying to think he had been under the bus for all that time."

Councillor Karen Trench, who represents Perry Barr on Birmingham City Council, said she was shocked by the incident, adding: "I was horrified when I heard what happened. It's very worrying.

"It was quite disturbing because the man was in a bad state. It must have been very scary for the pupils."

Councillor Trench said anyone travelling from abroad needed to be aware of what was going on around them.

"It has been hitting the headlines lately about how desperate people are and the measures they are taking," she added.

The man was arrested on Sunday and is being questioned by UK Border Force.

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said: "The security of the UK border is our first priority, which is why the Government has spent millions of pounds on strengthening controls and upgrading technology at Calais and Coquelles."

"As our border controls become stronger, we are seeing illegal immigrants taking increasingly dangerous risks to enter the UK. We are working with the French authorities to help tighten up security even more to stop this from happening."