PUPILS are to be given road safety reminder lessons after two girls were hit by a bus on their way to class.

Fellow pupils watched in horror as the girls were struck while crossing Burgess Road, Southampton, in rush hour traffic yesterday morning.

The accident happened outside the Co-op store opposite Lilac Road, just after 8am.

Shop staff said that a group of schoolchildren had been crossing the road at a pelican crossing at the time.

Both girls, believed to be 11, sustained head injuries described by police as "serious but not life-threatening".

The girls, pupils at Cantell School, were treated at the scene by paramedics then taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Ruth Johnson, head teacher at Cantell School, said: "We are all shocked and concerned for the students and their families and we are wishing them a speedy recovery.

"We regularly reinforce the road safety message and will be liaising further with the appropriate authorities."

The accident involved a First Bus single-decker number 14A, which runs from Southampton city centre to Portswood, the airport, Bitterne, Highfield, Swaythling and Mansbridge.

A company spokesman said: "We cannot comment any further until our investigations are complete."