The parents of a schoolgirl who died in a coach crash on the M40 30 years ago are continuing to campaign for new safety laws.

Saturday (November 18) will mark the 30th anniversary of the M40 Hagley Minibus Disaster, during which a teacher and 12 pupils died.

Liz and Steve Fitzgerald lost their 13-year-old daughter, Claire, and have today (November 16) launched a Call to Action to improve the way schools run minibuses.

The crash - which led to seatbelts becoming compulsory for minibus and coach passengers - involved one of two minibuses from Hagley Roman Catholic High School returning from a school trip to the Royal Albert Hall.

Only two pupils survived.

And while the type of 'crew bus' the school was using - with benches facing each other - has also been banned, the Fitzgerald's say more needs to be done to improve current "unjust", "confusing" and "unsafe" laws and regulations.

Claire pictured aged 12 (image supplied)

"Claire wanted to be a lawyer for disadvantaged children," they said in a statement.

"Now, we have young grandchildren who are arguably as much at risk as Claire was.

"It is important to emphasise that we are looking forward now.

"We believe in the importance of a wide experiential approach to young people's learning and commend teachers for that.

"Unfortunately, the opportunities available to young people to learn outside the classroom are sometimes jeopardised by the clumsy legal and regulatory system governing the operation of school minibuses."

Steve and Liz said private schools are currently forced to follow higher standards for school trips, with rules around driver qualifications and vehicle standards.

They say the rules should be the same for all schools.

"The background of resulting unsafe practice becomes a habit and is risky for all of those involved, staff and pupils alike," they added.

"Transport laws must be clear, relevant, succinct, robust and in plain English. The law as it stands is unequal, therefore unjust.

"Why should privately educated children have a higher level of safety in place than state educated children? This is outrageous on every level."

Their campaign has also been backed by NASUWT - a teaching union - which echoed calls that only qualified professional drivers, not teachers, should be allowed to drive on school trips,

A memorial service was held today at Hartshill Hayes Country Park to remember those who have died on Warwickshire's roads.