A headteacher has described his students' "human response" after two young stowaways hid in the engine compartment of their coach as they returned from a school trip to Paris.

The boys, from Sudan, emerged after spending several hours in the confined space in the vehicle hired by The Cowplain School in Waterlooville, Hampshire, for the trip on May 28.

Headteacher Ian Gates said his Year 9 and 10 pupils immediately rallied around the two youngsters, who were in a "bad state", by giving them food and drinks.

He said: "The pupils were very calm and, when they realised what had happened, their overwhelming response was that these were desperate people who needed help.

"The journey back was about 11 hours, so the two of them were very dazed and dehydrated, having spent a long time next to the coach's engine.

"The children wanted to make sure they were fine and gave them food and water before police arrived.

"It was unanimous that everyone wanted to help, whatever our children had they wanted to give.

"Everyone saw the human element of the situation. I think our students understood what was happening because they are aware of some of the desperate situations people find themselves in across the world.

"It was heart-warming to see everyone come together in support."

Hampshire Police have referred the two boys to the care of social services.

A force spokeswoman said: "We received a report regarding two males from Sudan who were found on the underside of a coach returning to the UK from France on May 28.

"Both males were under the age of 18 and are now under the care of local authorities."