A girl's GCSE coursework was the only casualty when a bus carrying 15 school children caught fire in Radlett today.

Fire crews from Garston and Borehamwood stations attended the scene in Watling Street, near the junction with Park Road, at 7.30am.

The bus, which was run by the Little Bus Company, was travelling from Park Street in Radlett to Barnet.

Jeremy Reese, owner of the bus company, said: "The fire was caused by the brakes, which were rubbing and overheated and caught fire. The driver noticed smoke coming from the back when he stopped at one of the bus stops, so he pulled over and evacuated the bus. The fire also caused one of the tyres to burst.

"No-one was injured but the children were a little bit shaken up and some of them have not gone into school, others were simply taking photos of the coach alight.

"The only sad thing is that one girl left her GCSE coursework inside, which got burnt."

Herts Police also attended the scene and put in road closures in Beech Avenue, The Drive and Park Road as well as Watling Street. All roads have now been re-opened.

Highways are currently assessing the damage to the road surface caused by the fire.

Mr Reese added: "I would like to praise my driver, who followed procedure and made sure everyone got off the bus and was safe."