SCHOOL groups on trips to Paris from the North-East and North Yorkshire have reassured friends and family that they are safe and well following Friday night's terrorist attacks, which have left 129 people dead.

Twenty six students from the sixth form at Ripon Grammar School, and three staff members are in Paris on an art trip.

The party is staying in a hotel near the Gard du Nord and is due back on Sunday.

A statement on the school website said: "All are safe. The party is following the advice of the French authorities and staying indoors in the hotel.

"The party has all necessary provisions so that they can remain in the hotel.

"The party is currently planning to return home leaving Paris at lunchtime tomorrow as planned but is following government advice.

"The head teacher is keeping parents informed and the school is being supported by North Yorkshire county council. We will keep this post updated with latest developments."

An update provided later by the headteacher, Martin Pearman said: "Staff and students did an art class this afternoon in the hotel.

"They will eat an evening meal tonight in the hotel and will go to Gare du Nord tomorrow morning by foot to catch the Eurostar to London.

"The train departs at lunchtime. Staff and students hopefully get to Ripon late afternoon as scheduled originally.

"My thanks to the staff and students for their calm approach during a very difficult time."

Two teachers and 11 students from a Newcastle College trip are also in the French capital. They are safe in their hotel following the attacks.

One student said: “The whole city is in lock down and everyone has been locked in the hotel.

"Thoughts to those who have been passed.

"We are all totally fine, we are all locked in our hotel rooms at the moment.

"There is still loads of sirens going off outside, we are just lucky as me and two others were on the other side of the city when it all started and had to get buses and metros back to our class.