A SCHOOL coach driver suspected of drinking wine by teachers on a trip to France has been sacked for having alcohol in his system.

The company, which employed the driver for the visit to Paris, said he was below the legal alcohol limit when given a breath test by French police, but had breached Northumberland-based Travelsure’s zero tolerance policy.

Thirty-four students and four teachers arrived back at North Durham Academy, in Stanley, County Durham, at around 9.30pm on Monday after spending the weekend in the French capital.

Their driver was taken for questioning by officers after teachers raised the alarm during a lunch stop in Amiens late on Friday afternoon after spotting he had been drinking what appeared to be red wine from a polystyrene cup.

A spokeswoman for Travelsure said: “We have conducted a full investigation into the conduct of the driver.

“Whilst he was found not to be exceeding the legal alcohol limit by the French police and released without charge or fine, he did register positive for alcohol.

“In line with our strict zero tolerance policy on alcohol for drivers on duty, we have now dispensed with his services.”

The matter has been referred to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, which regulates holders of professional licences, such as bus and coach drivers, and could lead to an official hearing with a range of sanctions available.

The Travelsure spokesman added: “We apologise unreservedly to North Durham Academy for his conduct. He has worked in the industry for over 40 years as a self-employed driver and had a good working relationship with Travelsure, but on this occasion he has clearly fallen below the standards expected of him.”

The trip was booked by academy through the School Travel Service, which chartered the coach from Travelsure.

An STS spokesman said: “We are satisfied with the actions taken by Travelsure. “The safety of our customers is paramount.”

Parents of young people on the trip, who sang with a school choir at Disneyland Paris on Sunday, said the incident had caused a lot of anxiety while their children were away from home.

Tracy Stacey, 42, from Avon Road, Stanley, whose 15-year-old daughter, Emma, is part of the group, said: “It is a situation which should not have arisen. Full stop. He should not have had any alcohol in his system at all. It has put a downer on the trip, for the kids and the parents at home. It could have caused a huge catastrophe. When you hear something like that, you worry.”

Ms Stacey said the teachers who challenged the driver were given a round of applause by parents when they got off the coach at the school.

She said: “They deserve a huge ‘thanks’ from parents. They were there to look after the kids, but they went above and beyond.”

No-one from North Durham Academy was available for comment.