Shrewsbury school's £40,000 loss as ski trip axed

A Shropshire school has been left more than £40,000 out of pocket after being forced to pull the plug on an Easter skiing trip for more than 50 pupils.

Hilary Burke, headteacher at Meole Brace School in Shrewsbury, claimed the company offering the trip was unable to meet its contract to provide the week-long holiday on April 9.

She said the school would have to reimburse parents to the tune of about £41,000 and was now pursuing the firm to get the money back.

Fifty-two students, aged 14 to 16, along with members of staff, were planning to visit Switzerland.

Nobody was available for comment from the travel company today.

Mrs Burke said: "The trip will not be going ahead because the company is not able to provide the skiing package holiday that we booked with them."

Mrs Burke said she was "extremely upset" on behalf of the children, parents and the staff at the school that the trip was no longer going ahead.

David Edwards, head of trading standards at Shropshire Council confirmed this week the situation was being examined.

Last month it was reported Devon County Council was investigating the circumstances surrounding the last-minute cancellation of a school skiing trip organised with the same company.