A teenager who went missing, sparking the evacuation of a Maidstone secondary school, has been found safe and well.

Pupils at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls were sent home early while a police search was carried after the girl was reported missing at around 11.30am.

The pupil is believed to have registered at school this morning as usual.

Several police cars descended on the Buckland Road site shortly before 3pm, when classes were due to finish.

Seven or eight police officers, including three on push bikes, were also seen behind the school's gates but all foot patrols have now left the scene.

The school's gates are no longer being guarded but at 5pm two or three police cars remained on site.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman said Kent Police advised the authority to close the school at 3pm so a thorough search of the facilities could be conducted.

A statement from deputy head Phil Horstrup said: "Please be reassured that there is no imminent danger or threat, and all children at the school are safe and have been told to make their way home as soon as possible."

The school, which has approximately 1,200 students, says it will re-open tomorrow as normal.

Parents were made aware of the situation through a statement from head teacher Deborah Stanley.