A large emergency response descended on a school and children were evacuated when an unexploded wartime bomb was discovered.

Police and military could be seen at St John’s Church Of England Primary School, Canterbury, where pupils were moved to the playing field for safety.

The bomb squad removed the ordnance from a space in the roof at about 3pm for disposal.

About 400 pupils were led out of the building at 2pm as emergency services descended on the St John’s Place site.

Shortly after the evacuation, the school texted parents this afternoon explaining the incident is being dealt with but urged them to collect their little ones.

“We are dealing with an incident. All children are safe, however we have evacuated to the school field,” it says.

“Please collect your children as soon as you are able. We are all on the field, the school site is locked.”

A police spokesman says the force was called shortly after 1.15pm today following the discovery of suspected wartime ordnance near St John's Place, Canterbury.

“Officers attended and assisted in evacuating nearby buildings while a cordon was put in place,” he said.

“An explosive ordnance disposal team from the Ministry of Defence also attended and removed the item. The cordon has since been lifted.”