Staff and pupils from St Francis’ Primary School in Lurgan enjoying their trip to London

A Northern Ireland primary school trip to London has gone ahead after an emergency meeting was held the day after the deadly terror attack in the capital.

Parents of primary seven pupils at St Francis' Primary School in Lurgan met on Sunday following the harrowing attack in which eight people died and a further 48 were injured. The three terrorists were shot dead within eight minutes of the first police call-out.

The school reassured parents ahead of the trip on Monday, with 70 pupils and eight teachers travelling to London, that a number of safety precautions had been put in place.

The school said that at no point would the children be using public transport nor having to walk to any of the venues on the trip. A number of Whatsapp groups were also set up so the school, parents and children could keep up-to-date with where they were and what they were doing on their trip.

Originally, 80 pupils were signed up for the trip, but after the Manchester tragedy at the Ariana Grande concert in May, seven withdrew, which principal Anthony McMorrow said was "understandable".

Following the London attack a further three pulled out.

Mr McMorrow said: "Our major concern was how parents would react. When something like that happens the night before, I was concerned about what they might feel about London and safety so we called an emergency meeting of parents at 1pm on Sunday. We came and spoke to them and the eight staff members were still willing to go. That was reassuring for parents.

"I told them how we would have our own coach from each venue in the itinerary - and there was one walking element slotted into the second day and we took that out."

Once the reassurances had been given by the school, parents decided whether they still wanted their child to go on the trip - at that point, the parents of three children opted out.

Mr McMorrow said: "So 70 in total went to London and they've had a ball.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A man stands kneels near flowers laid at Potters Fields Park in London on June 5, 2017, after a vigil to commemorate the victims of the terror attack on London Bridge and at Borough Market that killed seven people on June 3. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A man stands near flowers layed at Potters Fields Park in London on June 5, 2017, after a vigil to commemorate the victims of the terror attack on London Bridge and at Borough Market that killed seven people on June 3. London police made a fresh round of arrests on June 5 after the country's third terror attack in less than three months as Prime Minister Theresa May came under mounting pressure over security three days ahead of elections. The aftermath of June 3 night's rampage, which left seven dead and dozens wounded, dominated the campaign trail. / AFP PHOTO / Chris J RatcliffeCHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Pupils from Eden Girls' School in Waltham Forest take part in a vigil for the victims of the London Bridge terror attacks, in Potters Fields Park on June 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Getty Images Flowers near London Bridge following Saturday's terrorist attack. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday June 5, 2017. See PA story POLICE Bridge. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire PA Abdul Qayum, Chief Imam of East London Mosque, speaking during a press conference at East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel, east London, following Saturday's terrorist attack. PA PA (left to right) Fareed Rehman, Usman Saifi and Imam Zishan Ahmed at a vigil in Potters Fields Park, central London in honour of the London Bridge terror attack victims. 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Whatsapp A man stands kneels near flowers laid at Potters Fields Park in London on June 5, 2017, after a vigil to commemorate the victims of the terror attack on London Bridge and at Borough Market that killed seven people on June 3. AFP/Getty Images

"They went to Thorpe Park, Madame Tussauds, they saw The Lion King in the West End, went on The London Eye, visited the Natural History Museum - they have been extremely busy."

Mr McMorrow said it wasn't a question of "defiance" in the face of terrorism about the trip - rather it was making sure the decision was taken by the parents.

He said: "It was simply a matter of wanting to ensure the decision was theirs and theirs solely as to whether they went ahead."

He added: "The children were still keen. One of our P7 boys said to his mum if there is a vote 'Put both hands up'."

Belfast Telegraph