Bridport motorists have been complaining about school children becoming abusive with drivers and blocking traffic along a small country lane.

Dorset Police says it is working with the Sir John Colfox Academy following complaints that pupils are putting 'themselves and others in danger' along Pymore Road.

The school has since written to parents about the issue and warned students about their actions, but added it 'does not condone' drivers filming or photographing pupils. 

Students walking home from school have reportedly been walking two or three abreast with their backs to traffic along the country road, police said. 

The force asked parents and guardians to urge their children to use pavements where possible, with the route becoming busy at peak times.

"Officers from the Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team are working with the Sir John Colfox Academy following complaints from drivers of pupils that put themselves and road users in danger when walking in the busy road along Pymore Road as they make their way home," Dorset Police said. 

"Drivers have complained about pupils walking two or three a breast with their backs to traffic and when challenged by drivers they have become very abusive.

"We would ask parents [and] guardians to remind their children that use this route home to use the pavements where possible please so that we can hopefully prevent someone getting hurt."

Carol Duffy, deputy head teacher at Sir John Colfox Academy, added via a letter to parents: "Although there is a footpath, large numbers of students are choosing to walk side by side along the road.

"This obviously makes it difficult for vehicles to pass but more importantly, poses a danger to the students.

"Unfortunately, we are also aware that in their frustration, road users are attempting to speak to students but that this is resulting in unpleasant, sometimes verbally abusive altercations by both parties.

"We would like to take this opportunity to offer clear warnings about this.

"Firstly, the risk that students are placing themselves in by verbally abusing unknown adults who may choose to retaliate.

"Secondly, some motorists have been filming and photographing students in an attempt to evidence dangerous, inconsiderate or rude behaviour in the community.

"We do not condone this at all, but motorists may choose to use this footage to report incidents to the police and to the school.

"If we are able to identify students from photos or videos, we will sanction accordingly which may, in some cases result in suspensions from school.

"Our key messages to you are that we want our students to be safe on their journey to and from school, to be considerate of road users on the public highway and that we will not tolerate abusive behaviour from our students."