'Ban women drivers', say religious leaders in London

Religious leaders have provoked fury after suggesting pupils should be banned from lessons if their mothers drive them to school.

The strict ruling came from rabbis in an orthodox jewish sect at Stamford Hill, in north London.

In a letter published on jewish websites, the Hasidic Belz rabbis say women drivers are 'contrary to the rules of religious modesty'.

The letter warns pupils will be barred from lessons unless there are medical reasons for their mother to behind the wheel of a car.

Dina Brawer from the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance described the ruling as draconian. She expressed her anger on Twitter.

Full translation of letter: