POLICE have named the bus driver who has been charged after a double-decker bus full of schoolchildren smashed into a railway bridge in Headbourne Worthy.

Three children required surgery for “potentially life-threatening injuries”, while 12 others suffered minor injuries when the Stagecoach bus heading for Henry Beaufort School crashed into a bridge in Wellhouse Lane on September 10 last year.

Now police have said that Martin Robert Walker, 36, of Burke Drive, Southampton, has been charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Walker is due to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates Court on April 6.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is now seeking more detailed information from all of the injured children.

Any parent who has a child who was injured is asked to contact the CPS with their child's name, a summary of the injuries and treatment and copies of photos taken of injuries.

Parents can email the information to OPREMOTE@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Steve Brine MP said earlier this week: "This was a truly horrible day for a large number of students and their families as well as those working at the school. I think many people will instinctively be pleased to hear this news but it's important now to stand back and let the justice system run its course."