ALL secondary school pupils in Somerset who can are being urged to wear face coverings on dedicated school transport.

The call has come from Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for education - even though masks are not compulsory under Covid-19 government rules.

The decision on whether to wear masks on school buses is left to the discretion of parents, although face coverings are mandatory on public transport.

Cllr Faye Purbrick said: "We know the risks from COVID-19 to children and young people are low but it’s very important we try minimise the spread of the disease.

"Our priority is to make school transport as safe as possible so that students feel safe to return to school.

"Wearing a face covering on the journey is an important part of reducing the potential spread of Covid-19 to children, drivers, school staff and family members.

"We know some children aren’t able to wear coverings, but we would ask that, where it is possible, parents encourage their children to do so with immediate effect."