Three teenage heroes were today praised by their headteacher for helping fellow pupils escape from a school bus after it crashed into a ditch.

The double decker was taking 70 pupils home from King Edmund School, Rochford, when it skidded out of control in Shopland Road, near Great Wakering, on Friday.

Students were thrown from their seats as the bus plunged into a roadside ditch and was left tipped at a 45 degree angle.

Headteacher Graham Abel praised the quick thinking and bravery of the young men who lived up to their school's motto - courage and perseverance - and led pupils to safety.

He said: "There is no doubt about it, they are all heroes. We are extremely proud of them all."

For the full story see today's Echo.