Footage shows six schoolchildren were crammed into a car boot - standing up and squashed together like sardines.

The pupils had been visiting a mall with their teachers when they were seen piling into the people carrier on their way back to classes in Manila, Philippines, on September 5.

Six of the biggest kids AND a teacher crammed into the boot - while others three teachers in green t-shirts went in the back holding another six toddlers on their laps.

Meanwhile, the driver and another assistant occupied the two front seats - taking the total number of people in the over-loaded vehicle to a staggering 18.

A shocked motorists who captured the ''dangerous'' manoeuvre in the Tondo district of the Philippines capital said he was worried it could cause an accident.

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ''I recorded it because I was concerned about the risks of driving with with children standing and squeezed together in the boot.

''I was in a hurry so I could not stop and offer them space in my car. Anyway, I don't think that the children would have been allowed in a stranger's car.

'' I just took the video to inform the authorities, especially the school management, to show them that their teachers are doing something wrong and dangerous.''

The driver said that he was surprised the mall's security guard - who is seen in the video helping load the kids into the car - did not advise them against the dangerous endeavour.

A spokesman for the Manila Department Of Social Welfare said they are investigating.