YOUNGSTERS at Chipping Sodbury Secondary School have had their German exchange trip cancelled after their passports were stolen just days before they were due to leave.

Passports belonging to the 41 schoolchildren were taken along with £1,200 worth of Euros and £300 in sterling in a break-in at a teacher's house in St George last Tuesday.

The school was forced to call off the three-day language trip to Aachen for the 12 and 13-year-old pupils.

Children were due to try out their language skills by meeting and talking to local people in the German town.

A parent, who did not wish to be named, said many of the children were in tears over the cancellation of the trip. They were due to leave for Germany on Thursday at 8pm.

The parent said: "My child was in tears and so were most of the other children.

"They were all so disappointed because they have been looking forward to this trip for such a long time."

Police say it is possible the thief may have dumped the passports and anyone who finds them should call them on 0845 456 7000.