STOWAWAYS hitched a ride on a school coach returning from France . . . and jumped off in Prestwich.

The coach was making its way back to Prestwich Art College after a four-day trip to the north of France between April 19 and 22.

Travelling via Eurostar the party stayed in Calais, making a number of day trips to sites along the coast.

After arriving back in Prestwich, the coach from Nottingham based travel firm Halsbury Travel, performed a drop-off in the car park at the Longfield Centre on Saturday night.

As staff were busy helping students unload luggage from the coach, a waiting parent spotted two men drop from the underside of the vehicle and run away.

An alert was raised and the two men we pursued by the coach driver but got away, heading toward Heys Road.

Police are now looking for the two people and anyone with information should call police on 101.

Rachel Evans, Prestwich Art School headteacher, said: “The trip had gone extremely well and was enjoyed by the pupils, and until then everything had gone to plan.

“We have no idea when or where these men stowed away underneath the coach; when we left France the coach was thoroughly checked by security, including sniffer dogs, and the pupils’ passports checked.

“Thankfully at no point did the students come into contact with the stowaways or were placed at any risk. I’m sure everyone will now remember this trip for more reasons than they expected.”