Mothers in a rush to do the school run will often have cried “I have to fly”, but for children on a remote Scottish island this is quite literally the case.

Children on Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands are to take what is believed to be the world’s shortest flight to their school in Westray. It takes just 96 seconds, covering slightly over a mile.

The secondary school pupils will have to use the Loganair service because the ferry that normally takes them to Westray Junior High School has been suspended for refurbishment until the end of this year.

The six teenagers will travel to Westray each Tuesday and stay with host families for two nights before returning on Thursday.