A BUS carrying secondary school children was damaged when it hit a tree.

The crash happened in New Church Road, West Bergholt, near the junction with School Lane.

The tree has fallen across the road and into a nearby garden.

Highways engineers are on the scene to clear the carriageway.

The bus, which was carrying children heading to The Stanway School, had been forced to re-route because of roadworks on nearby Lexden Road.

The youngsters were taken to Heathlands Primary School while they wait for the bus company to send a replacement.

Jacqui Lawrence, who works at Heathlands said: "There are quite a lot of trees on the road and the bus driver has taken a diversion.

"He didn't do it yesterday, but today he has hit the tree.

"It all seemed to happen in slow motion and it fell right into a garden."

There has been no injuries and no significant injuries to property.

More to follow.