Pupils at a West Oxfordshire school have been told their trip to France next month has been cancelled following the Paris terror attacks.

Staff and pupils at The Marlborough School in Woodstock were due to visit Lille Christmas Market Visit on December 11 but principal Andrew Hanlon said the visit would not take place.

He issued a statement on the school's website to update parents.

Mr Hanlon said staff at the academy in Shipton Road have been monitoring the advice regarding travel to France from the Home Office.

As a result, the school has reassessed the potential level of risk posed by the school trip to Lille.

The principal added in the statement: "The French authorities have declared a national state of emergency for three months.

"As part of the state of emergency the French Ministry of Education has cancelled all school trips within France by French schools until November 22.

"This includes excursions to cultural sites (theatres, museums etc) and travel by school groups on public transport.

"Although these restrictions do not apply to foreign school parties, the Ministry has advised foreign school groups to avoid travelling to France for the time-being.

"The assessment of the school is that there are sufficient grounds to cancel the visit because the level of risk cannot be reduced to an acceptable level by staff leading the trip.

"We acknowledge that this will be a disappointment to the record numbers of pupils looking forward to their experience of a French Christmas market, but our first duty is the safety of our pupils and staff.

"We will be contacting you again shortly to confirm the arrangements concerning refunds of payments received."