A school mini bus driver saved 11 schoolchildren from harm by reversing off a bridge as it started collapsing in front of him.

Derek Trow, 62, was driving across the Eastham Bridge in Worcestershire on Tuesday when it started crumbling into the River Teme.

He slammed on his brakes and reversed to stop his vehicle carrying pupils from Lindridge St Lawrence CE Primary School, Tenbury Wells, plunging 20ft into the river.

Mr Trow, who has been a bus driver for 17 years, added: "There were two buses - I was in the lead. I'd just got onto the bridge when I saw just over the apex some of the road had given way.

"I stopped and gestured to the bus behind me to move so I could reverse back to get my wheels off the bridge."

Photographs show the Grade II listed bridge reduced to rubble and the area has now been sealed off as building engineers carry out inspections into what caused the collapse.

Local residents are devastated by the loss of the bridge, built in 1793, which is a major commuter route between the market town of Tenbury and Eastham.

Gardener Paul Newby, 58, said: "It has left some people stranded. It's a main route to get through to to Eastham.

"It was chaotic yesterday with the traffic but we're gutted we've lost a huge part of our local history."