PUPILS and staff at Culcheth High School have been evacuated today, Tuesday, following a 'bomb threat'.

The Warrington Road school was given a precise amount of time before the threatened attack would take place, leading to a swift and safe evacuation of the school building.

Shortly after 11.30am, police attended the site and conducted a search of the building before giving it the all-clear.

Detective sergeant Alison McLoughlin said: “We would like to reassure the community that following a search the children were allowed back in to continue their school day and it is believed that this call was a hoax.”

In a letter to parents, Chris Hunt, head teacher at Culcheth High School, praised pupils' good behaviour throughout the evacuation process.

He added: "I’d like to thank all the staff for their tremendous support and calm manner in which they evacuated the building and supported our students.

"During the current challenging circumstances, it frustrates and worries me that sadly, there are individuals who engage in such selfish and dangerous behaviours that are targeted towards schools."

The threat to Culcheth High School comes just 24 hours after a similar hoax call was made to Golborne High School.

This school was also evacuated while police attended and enquiries into the incident are on-going.