The incident happened on the A429 Barford Road, half a mile from Junction 15 of the M40, and involved youngsters from Shipston Primary.

Six ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a patient transport, paramedics and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended the scene shortly after 4.50pm.

Eight people were taken to hospital. The children involved are believed to have been between nine and 11.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said "On arrival at the scene, crews found a coach and a lorry that had been in a significant collision. The coach had sustained large rear end damage and the lorry had front-end damage.

"The coach was carrying around 43 school children and also teachers and was returning from a trip to Drayton Manor Park. Five children were treated at the scene for multiple injuries, mainly neck and back pain.
"They were immobilised using spinal boards and neck collars and transferred by land ambulance to Warwick Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

"Three further children were treated at the scene for minor injuries and also transferred.

"The driver of the coach, a man believed to be in his 50's was treated at the scene for back injuries and was also boarded and collared. He was also transferred to Warwick hospital for further assessment and treatment."

Medics also checked the other children and the lorry driver, who had been trapped in his cab for some time, and found them to be unhurt.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision and ask that anyone with information should contact Pc Marcus Franklin at the Greys Mallory Traffic base on 01926 415415.