PARENTS have spoken of their concerns after a school cancelled a planned visit to central London following recent terror attacks and replaced it with a trip which includes a Birmingham.

Chilton Primary School, in Chilton, was due to take pupils on a three-day trip focusing on attractions in the heart of London, but said it reviewed its plans after tourist hotspots, including the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, were considered to be “high risk”.

The head teacher at the school has sent a letter to parents advising that they had “taken the decision to cancel this year’s visit” due to "circumstances that have been beyond our control".

The letter reads: “I write to update you regarding our school response to terrible events in both London and Manchester.

“It is with regret that I must inform you that we have taken the decision to cancel this year’s visit.

“Unfortunately, the main body of the visit included activities situated in the heart of London and to venues which could be deemed ‘high risk’.

“The children’s safety and parental peace of mind was the over-riding determiner in reaching this conclusion."

The school has arranged a replacement trip to a nearby beach or museum, followed by a visit to Cadbury World, in Birmingham and the Warner Bros Studio, near Watford, Hertfordshire, for a Harry Potter tour.

One parent, who has asked not to be named, questioned the planned visit to Birmingham, which has previously been a target by terrorists, including an attack in 1974, when the IRA bombed two pubs killing 21 people and a Real IRA car bomb in Birmingham in 2001.

She said: “It really saddens me that the children will miss out on a valuable experience to see the capital, famous landmarks, and learn about our government by visiting the Houses of Parliament. Letting hate and fear win is not the way to fight terrorism, it is what the terrorists want. 

“They’ve rearranged the trip to Birmingham, however I’m not sure that any major city in the UK is truly safe right now.”

“My daughter is in reception year at this school, she wasn’t set to go on this trip, but if she was I would have let her go, it would have been a fantastic learning experience for her. 

“I’m not that well off and would struggle to afford to take her there myself. I would have to take the whole family and I’m sure other parents in the town would be in a similar situation. 

“I’m glad the school have organised a replacement trip, but it is still such a shame that this has happened and the children have to miss out."

The Northern Echo contacted the head teacher at Chilton Primary School however they declined to comment as did Durham County Council.