AN investigation is underway after three Swindon schoolchildren made allegations of indecent assault during a school trip to Norfolk.

Children from the school had gone on an adventure holiday to Norfolk.

But after they returned home, three pupils came forward to complain about being indecently assaulted.

The parent of one of the alleged victims said: "This is a terrible situation and I want to know how it could have happened.

"They went on a trip to Norfolk supervised by the school.

"One of the children told a friend who told her own mother and that's how it all came out over the weekend."

Parents picking up their children from the school yesterday were unaware of the investigation.

A mother said she was shocked by the allegations. "It is unsettling and not very nice to hear," she said

"You hear about these kinds of things, it is not unusual but you just don't think it will affect your school.

"It is very scary to think your child might not be safe if they go on a school trip."

Swindon police recorded the allegations on Monday and passed them onto their colleagues in Norfolk, who are investigating the incident.

At this stage, police will not comment where exactly the assaults are alleged to have taken place or whom the complaints have been made against.

Spokesman for Norfolk police, Jonathan Smith, said: "Norfolk Constabulary can confirm as a result of being contacted by Wiltshire Constabulary, they will be conducting a criminal investigation into an allegation of indecent assault, an allegation made by three pupils whilst on a school trip to Norfolk.

"Until Norfolk officers have had the opportunity to examine correspondence from their colleagues in Wiltshire it would be inappropriate at this early stage of the investigation to make any further statement."

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "I can confirm that Swindon police have recorded three allegations of indecent assault upon children under the age of 16 years whilst they were in Norfolk.

"The details have been forwarded to Norfolk police for investigation."

Swindon Council is also investigating the incident.

Geoff Wood, the council's principal education welfare officer, said: "All Swindon schools comply with DFES Department for Education and Skills guidelines on educational visits and all risk assessments were in place on a school trip to Norfolk."

The school's headteacher declined to comment.

Earlier this year a teachers' union advised members against taking pupils on school trips to protect themselves against litigation.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers said it issued the advice after high-profile cases of accidents on school trips.

Phil Baker, secretary of the Swindon branch of Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "Teachers are increasingly concerned about taking children on trips because the buck stops with them when things go wrong.

"If the allegations are proven then it may deter schools from taking children away on trips."

Bhavani Vadde