Nine pupils have been suspended from their Bradford school after a probe into their behaviour on a trip to Holland.

They were part of a group of more than 100 pupils at Hanson School, Swain House, who were in Amsterdam during the Easter holiday.

The nine travelled back with the rest of the party last week but have been suspended for breaking a strict code of conduct they and their parents had signed up to, prior to the trip.

Last year, the school's visit to Amsterdam was rocked by controversy when two sixth-form students were flown home after allegations of serious misconduct.

Deputy head teacher Susan Horsley refused to give details of the latest incident but confirmed that agreed standards of behaviour had been breached.

"The issue which has resulted in them being disciplined was a failure to comply with the contract which was signed before the trip to Holland," she said.

"There were two separate visits. One was a normal school visit and the second group was playing a range of friendly football matches against clubs in Holland.

"The trip began on April 17 and they all returned on Monday. Investigations have been completed and as a result of that, the nine children have been excluded for a fixed short term.

"This was nine students, a small group out of the total number of young people on the visit, which was more than 100.

"There was a disciplinary incident last year but that was completely different. No damage has been done to relations with our hosts."

The pupils have the right to appeal against their punishments, a process which would be overseen by the school's chairman of governors, Sue Williamson.

She also refused to disclose details of the incident. "The school has informed me of what happened but not all the details because if the parents appeal I have to be completely impartial."

The Dutch trip has been running for six years and at the time of last year's incident, the school said it had not previously experienced any "regrettable incidents".

Councillor David Ward, Bradford Council's executive member for education, said he did not know about the suspensions, even though his youngest son attends Hanson School.

"I don't think the school is irresponsible in any way and at the end of the day, young people are young people," he said, "I have no concerns about this and I will be quite happy for my son to attend school trips in future with the school, including trips to Amsterdam. I am pleased the school has taken prompt action."