An inquest jury considering the deaths of two girls who were swept to their deaths in a fast-flowing stream was told today they may come to the conclusion that some individuals "failed in certain respects".

Assistant North Yorkshire coroner John Sleightholme also told the jury that they may think some of those involved in the tragedy could have done things differently.

Beginning his summing up of the evidence, Mr Sleightholme told the jury he would be writing to certain authorities at the completion of the inquest with his recommendations.

A jury sitting at Harrogate Magistrates Court has heard how Rochelle Cauvet, 14, and 13-year-old Hannah Black were swept away while taking part in a "river walk" in Stainforth Beck, near Settle, North Yorkshire, on October 10 2000.

The activity was part of a residential week planned by Royds School in Oulton, near Leeds.

Mr Sleightholme said: "It maybe as you listen to the evidence you are of the view that a number of persons, from the director of education downwards, flowing through the headmaster and governing body to the head of the lower school, to the co-ordinator, even down to the teachers, have not performed quite as well as liked. They have failed in certain respects or could have done differently."

The coroner said he would be writing to the relevant authorities to ensure a similar tragedy did not happen again, and he encouraged members of the jury to write down any observations they might have.

He said in future he hoped "people will be better informed, (with) better training, better communication, better standards of assessment and risk, better standards of application."

The coroner was due to complete his summing up later this afternoon.