British pupils robbed at gunpoint on Guatemala school trip to 'Bandit Land'

The 12 teenagers were hauled off their private bus one by one at gunpoint and made to empty their pockets before being tied up with ropes – and their own shoelaces.

The gunmen then abandoned them deep in snake infested jungle. Luckily, one of the boys was able to wriggle free and untie the others.

Jungle ordeal: Teacher Robert Pursglove and his partner Helena

The group leader, from school travel organiser World Challenge Expeditions, activated a satellite beacon which sent a distress signal containing their location. Police arrived four hours later.

Last night the 16-year-old boys and their two teachers, from the Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, were awaiting a flight home after cutting short their month-long adventure holiday.

The youngsters, who paid more than £3,500 each to go on the expedition, had just completed a two-week project to paint a school and teach children English.

They were on their way to begin a trek through the jungle when a pick-up truck overtook alongside their bus on a mountain road. Warning shots were fired and the bandits made the driver pull into scrub land out of sight of the road.

British pupils from The Skinners School in Tunbridge Wells (pictured), were recovering last night after being robbed at gunpoint by mountain bandits in Guatemala

The group handed over money, mobile phones, iPods, cameras, clothes and even spare contact lenses worth more than £2,000.

Guatemala has one of the highest crime rates in Central America, but Simon Everson, head of the state grammar school, defended the decision to send the boys there.

He said: 'We have got to give our boys challenging experiences and allow them to help people less fortunate than themselves. If we retreated as a result of this incident then we would be victims of these bandits twice over.'

The pupils were on their way to Coban in Guatemala (pictured) when they were attacked and tied to trees

Mr Everson named the staff members on the trip as PE teacher Robert Pursglove and biology teacher Rebecca Smith.

He said: 'I have spoken to the boys and the staff and they are still quite nervous. It all happened very quickly and left them extremely shocked.

'They had all received training in what to do in these circumstances and I'm pleased to say they reacted very calmly. Nobody panicked, they were incredibly brave and we are hugely proud of them.

'I have spoken to all the parents who were obviously concerned and can't wait to give their kids a hug.'

The robbery happened on Friday between the towns of El Rancho and Coban.