Police investigating claims a teenage boy threatened a massacre of pupils and teachers at a Kent school have concluded no criminal offences were made.

Parents of children at Valley Park School in Maidstone were told on Monday that bosses were working to identify "the level of risk posed" in a threat made by a school-aged pupil last Friday.

The boy is said to have claimed in writing that he would come into the school on Wednesday, January 23, set the fire alarm off to round up students and staff in one place, and shoot them all dead.

He has since been spoken to by officers as part of their investigation but the force has said no further criminal action will be taken.

Worried parents were formally told of the threat in an email from head teacher Vic Ashdown, seen by KentOnline.

It stated: "We take such matters extremely seriously.

"We are currently working to identify the level of risk posed by this threat and if any further action is deemed necessary by our parent body we will contact you again.

"In the meantime, school will continue as normal for all students."

The allegations were put to the school - graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted on its last inspection in 2013 - but bosses said they would not be making any further comment on the nature of the threat.

Chief Inspector Mark Hedges said: "We received a report from a member of the public at around 2pm on Saturday, January 19 of a potential threat at a school in Huntsman Lane, Maidstone.

"The report referred to a social media discussion on Friday, January 18 by parents who were concerned that a pupil had apparently made threats to cause harm to children at the school.

"Officers made extensive enquiries, liaised with the school, and spoke to the child. No offences were disclosed or established."

After receiving the email, one parent said she felt "physically sick" at such a threat being made.