An Enfield primary school launched a rescue operation to bring home more than 20 children on a day trip to Lords cricket ground after they got caught up in Thursday's attempted terror attacks on the capital.

A group of 22 children aged ten and 11 from Southbury Primary School were enjoying the first day of the Ashes at the famous sporting ground with teachers when panic struck in the afternoon.

In scenes echoing the events of two weeks ago, four suicide bombers had attempted to blow up three Tube trains and a bus.

The capital's transport system ground to a halt, leaving the children, who had arrived at Lords by train, stranded in north west London.

As panicked parents inundated the school with calls, a quick-thinking member of staff called an Edmonton coach company and asked it to come to the rescue.

Davian Coaches prepared a vehicle within the hour and set off to bring the children home safely, free of charge.

Parents who had gathered at the school breathed a sigh of relief when their little ones finally reached home by the early evening.

School administrative officer Christine De Bell, who helped arrange the rescue, said: "We had arranged for the children to go to Lords by train. We bought a group ticket and the children left early in the morning at 8.30am and got to the ground fine.

"After news of the attacks reached us, many parents were extremely concerned.

"Some people had radios in the ground and we monitored reports and realised transport was not running in the direction we wanted to go.

"I phoned the coach company and we exchanged numbers. By 6pm the coach had arrived at the cricket ground. They got the children, who behaved impeccably, back to Enfield safely and the parents were absolutely ecstatic.

"We had allowed children to take their mobiles out on the day and it did help to reassure parents, who were all contacted by staff to let them know what was happening.

"Davian pulled out all the stops for us. They got the children back safely and without any fuss and we would like to say a big thank you."

Deputy head Kay Howcroft said the children were back at school on Friday morning and looking forward to their summer break.

She added: "All schools will be taking advice about taking children into London for school trips and we do take this very seriously. The care of the children is our top priority."

David Bee, Davian Coaches operation manager, said: "The main thing was to get the children home under the circumstances. It was nice to do our bit."