Teachers in the region are to be reminded about existing health and safety guidelines following the tragedy involving two girls on a school trip.

The girls were swept away while "river walking" in the swollen Stainforth Beck, near Settle, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday.

The body of 14-year-old Rochelle Cauvet was found further downstream. Police are still searching for Hannah Black, 13. The girls were part of a group of 15 young people and two teachers from Royds School in Oulton, near Leeds, who were staying at a youth hostel. Police said today it could be treated as a criminal matter.

Tony Webster, spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council, said the council had a 150-page document governing safety guidelines for educational visits and activities.

"Safety and good practice are our highest priorities and guide everyone's work with young people on visits and adventure activities. Clearly we must always learn from experience, including serious incidents which have occurred. Our guidelines have been developed to cover a range of activities."

Chris Edwards, deputy education director at City of York Council, said: "We are going to remind schools about the need to look at the relevant guidance available, and that they need to be careful about anything deemed to be an adventurous activity.

Both said that their guidelines included making a risk assessment in any situation, bearing in mind weather conditions, staff to pupil ratios and qualifications of the trip leader.