A BROKEN down school coach at Canford Bottom roundabout caused heavy delays this afternoon.

Police say 55 young children and seven adults were aboard the coach, which blocked the roundabout and caused delays for eastbound traffic.

A mechanic was sent to try and fix it.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said all of those stranded aboard the vehicle were able to hop on a Damory Coaches vehicle instead. They were taken to Ferndown police station.

"Damory Coaches were passing by the scene," the spokesperson said.

"The coach was like a greenhouse and there wasn’t any other safe place to put the children.

The coach was cleared from the road by 6.30pm, although traffic was still heavy in the area.