The driver of a coach which crashed, killing a 15-year-old schoolgirl and injuring several others, was last night charged with manslaughter by French prosecutors.

The decision was announced as the family of Katherine Fish, 15, from Largs, Scotland, paid tribute to a daughter who ''lit up our lives every day''.

Mark Chisholm, 31, from Edinburgh, was at the wheel of the bus which overturned on a sliproad from the A6 motorway near Dijon, central France, on Thursday morning.

The tragedy happened as a school party from Largs Academy in North Ayrshire was on its way to Barcelona for a one-week cultural trip.

State prosecutor Jean-Pierre Alacchi said Mr Chisholm was also being charged with several counts of involuntary wounding and failing to control the vehicle.

Six other children and three teachers were seriously injured, including a teacher who lost his left arm when the bus flipped over.

Katherine's parents spoke publicly for the first time last night about their daughter.

In a statement, Ian and Faye Fish and their younger daughter Elizabeth paid tribute.

They said: ''Katherine was just the best, always with a smile on her face and making other people smile too.

''We were proud of all her achievements and she lit up our lives every day.

''She loved her dancing and looked forward to achieving great things in the future.

''Our thoughts and prayers too are with other members of the school party and their families.''

Yesterday it emerged that Katherine's mother and grandmother are both from Hartlepool.

Her grandparents Forbes and Wilma Doig, are well known in the town. Mr Forbes is a former physics teacher and both he and his wife are active in the town's Caledonian Society.

It is thought they have travelled to Scotland to be with their daughter and son-in-law.

Mr Alacchi said French investigators believe bus driver Mr Chisholm swerved after realising at the last moment that he was on the wrong road. He said the driver had not fallen asleep at the wheel.

Six of the injured children were due to fly back to Scotland last night to continue their recovery in hospital. Early yesterday 33 other children who were uninjured or slightly hurt arrived in Glasgow, to be met by relieved parents.

Six children aged from 12 to 15, who suffered serious injuries, as well as three teachers, were being kept in France for a second night.

A gendarme who attended the scene of the accident said he did not believe Katherine had been wearing a seatbelt.

The company which owned the bus, Allan's Coaches of Gorebridge, near Edinburgh, said Mr Chisholm and his co-driver Tony Cowley were both experienced drivers, used to driving at night.