SOLENT Vision Travel was the bus operator used by Meon Junior School

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Furious parents hit out over the driver’s actions which left bemused and anxious youngsters trapped in their seats on their way back from a school day trip to London. The coach was just a mile from Meon Junior School in Southsea, Hants, when the driver suddenly stopped on the single carriageway road outside Portsmouth city centre. One parent told how the driver stepped down from the bus and grabbed a prayer mat. He took off his shoes and washed his feet before turning to face Mecca to pray.

About 50 children, parents and teachers were left stranded while traffic swerved around the vehicle for 10 minutes shortly before rush hour.

He was putting children’s lives at risk Mother Claire Powell

Operator Vision Travel has apologised but worried parents are demanding answers. Mother Claire Powell, 36, whose daughter Heidi, nine, was on board, said: “I was absolutely livid when I heard. There were people swerving to avoid the coach and beeping. “He was putting children’s lives at risk. At the end of the day he has a duty of care. This isn’t about his religion – he simply shouldn’t have done it.”

Adele Richards, 41, also feared for the safety of her daughter Ruby, nine. She said: “All it would have taken was for a big lorry to come flying round the corner and hit them – that would have been very serious, there could have been fatalities.” Mother Dawn Barker, 30, said: “He could have waited literally two minutes to get to the school. You shouldn’t go and endanger anybody’s lives like this.” And mother Holly Sharpe, 31, said she would not let her children go on future school trips without her.

SOLENT Operator Vision Travel said the driver was given a warning and are looking into the incident

Headteacher Luke Hanna said: “We have raised concerns with the coach operator hired for this visit and they have apologised and assured us that this wouldn’t happen again.” Muslim community leaders have also condemned the driver’s behaviour and said there is flexibility around when the daily prayers are performed. City councillor and practising Muslim Yahiya Chowdhury said: “He should care for the children first and make sure the children are safe before he goes to pray. He should not put the children at risk to pray.” Community activist Sumel Chowdhury added: “I think it’s completely wrong. Prayers are flexible, if you miss one you can do it one or two hours later.”

GETTY The coach was just a mile from Meon Junior School in Southsea when the driver stopped