YOUNGSTERS invol-ved in the minibus crash which claimed the life of 12-year-old Jasmine Allen returned to school today - the first time since the tragedy.

The seven pupils from Hafodyrynys are being eased back into New-bridge Comprehensive School.

Head teacher Allan Ray-bould held a special meeting with the children and their parents at the start of the school day.

Meanwhile, prayers will be said in church on Sunday for all those involved in Mon-day's accident.

The Rev Margaret Jefford, vicar of Newbridge, Crum-lin and Hafodyrynys, said prayers were offered at a church council meeting held in St Peter's Church, Pantside, on Monday evening.

And there will be more prayers said in the Sunday morning service at 9.30am in St Paul's Church, Newbridge.

Jasmine, who was 12 and from Hafodyrynys, died when the minibus taking her and nine other children to school overturned after a collision on the A472.

Two other pupils are still in hospital - one at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, and the other at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. A spokesman for Nevill Hall, where Craig Jones is a patient, said this morning that his condition is "improving".

Ms Jefford said the community had been devastated. She had spoken to the school to offer help and support.

"The community is pulling together - people in New-bridge are terribly upset about this," she said.

She added that St Paul's will be open for "prayer and reflection" as normal between noon and 1.30pm tomorrow.

Pupils at Newbridge Comprehensive School have been offered counselling.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said the force's leading family liaison officer visited the school on Monday and distributed leaflets to teachers on how to deal with bereavement in children.

"We linked with the local education authority who offered to support the school with educational psychologists,' she said.

A prom planned for today was cancelled by the school as a mark of respect to Jasmine and her family.

Residents of Hafodyrynys have called for action on the "notorious" road running through their village to Crumlin.

A spokesman for Caer-philly council said yesterday: "In light of the ongoing police investigation into the cause of the accident, we feel it would be inappropriate to comment on the circumstances surrounding it."

The driver of the minibus, which was from A1 Minibus Hire in Hengoed, and another man were arrested and interviewed, following the accident. Both have been released on police bail.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said they are continuing to investigate the accident. Witnesses can contact them on 01633 838111.