PUPILS had a miraculous escape after forklift tractor spikes ripped through the roof of a double decker bus full of of schoolchildren.

Police and paramedics were called to Alresford Road, Wivenhoe, just before 8.30am this morning.

A Cedric Coaches bus, which was taking children to Colne Community School and College in Brightlingsea, struck a tractor with raised spikes.

The spikes tore apart the front of the roof of the bus with debris falling on the children.

Four were treated by paramedics at the scene but all escaped serious injury.

The collision is being investigated by police.

Anyone with pictures of the collision please e-mail them to gazette.newsdesk@nqe.com

See the full story and interviews in Friday's Gazette and Essex County Standard.