IT WAS a much anticipated trip that would have crowned their time at primary school.

Having been waved off by their parents, the 36 youngsters from Portswood Primary school were looking forward to a week of activities from abseiling to surfing in Bude, Cornwall.

But the youngsters were left “utterly distraught” after spending only a few hours at an activity centre before being told the programme of activities had been cancelled owing to staff taking industrial action.

The party spent the Sunday night on site before making the five-hour trip back home to Southampton to be consoled by their families and teachers.

Dad Howard Frost, 40, said his 11-year-old son Sam was completely devastated by the cancelled trip, which was seen as a highlight of the children’s school career before they embarked upon secondary education. He said: “They literally got there and that night they were told they would not be able to provide any activities at all.

“The children were just all absolutely distraught. It really is something they look forward to and build up to, particularly after their SATS exams.

“It is one of the highlights of their time at school.”

He said parents had paid out £400 per pupil to pay for the trip that was due to last until Friday.

He said staff at Portswood Primary had kept parents informed of the circumstances. “They couldn’t have done more, they have been great as they know how much the children were looking forward to this and it is something that they could do nothing about.”

He said the school was seeking a refund.

Llyn Codling, Executive Head Portswood and St Mary's C of E Primary School, said: “I was really upset that the children had to return from Bude and concerned that we had not been notified before we travelled down, otherwise I would have met with the parents on the Friday. “We have organised a couple of trips for the children, which we appreciate is not Bude, however it may go some way to cheering them up. The children have been amazing and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.”

The company Adventure International were not available for comment when contacted by the Daily Echo.

According to reports some 74 staff walked out on Friday in dispute over a member of staff who had been made redundant.