Police are investigating claims a teenage boy threatened a massacre of pupils and teachers at a Kent school.

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

Worried parents were informed of the threat this morning in an email from head teacher Vic Ashdown, seen by KentOnline.

Despite the warning, however, the school has remained open as usual today while police investigate the incident.

One parent said: "The school is fantastic, I could not have chosen a better school for my daughter to attend.

"However the thought of a potential Dunblane massacre happening makes me feel physically sick.

"What I just find concerning the most is that he’s planned it for Wednesday and he was writing about it - in my eyes, he is pre-planning it."

The allegations were put firmly 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.

The email to parents 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."

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: "Police received a report of an alleged threat at a school in Huntsman Lane, Maidstone.

"The report was received at 2pm on Saturday, January 19.

"Inquiries are ongoing."