A school has brought in metal detectors to search pupils after homemade weapons were found on campus.

Harbour Specialist School in Dover took the action after weapons made by inserting blades from pencil sharpeners into the barrels of pens were brought into the Elms Vale Road site.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Juli Timoney said pupils had been "making gadgets at home which could be classed as weapons".

The letter continued: "We have purchased some hand-held metal detectors and we will use these to search pupils for metal objects if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that a pupil has brought in a prohibited item into school."

She added: "I am sure you will agree that our top priority at all times is keeping everybody safe and I would urge you to talk to your child about this issue and to ensure that they do not bring any dangerous or prohibited items to school."

It also said that any pupils found with these weapons would be sent straight home and the items would be handed to police.

A further fixed term exclusion would follow and, in extreme cases or for repeat offences, the pupil's placement at the school would be "at risk and under review".