Terrified pupils were sent home from school early today following a bomb scare.

Police descended on King Ethelbert School in Canterbury Road, Birchington, after a hoax call was received.

The school was evacuated while they waited for police to arrive.

Headteacher Vicky Willis said in a statement: "As you may have heard, we have had a seri­ous inci­dent in school today involv­ing a hoax call about a bomb.

"The school was imme­di­ately evac­u­ated and the police attended.

"We are work­ing with the police and are con­fi­dent that we have iden­ti­fied the cul­prit."

She continued: "The police are con­fi­dent that the whole school have dealt with this in the best pos­si­ble way and the whole com­mu­nity were kept com­pletely safe at all times.

"I would like to com­mend the staff and stu­dents for the calm and sen­si­ble way that they responded to this stress­ful sit­u­a­tion.

"I send my thanks to par­ents and car­ers for your patience while we dealt with sit­u­a­tions prior to this com­mu­ni­ca­tion. As always safety is our priority."

Police confirmed they were called at 12.33pm following reports a school in Canterbury Road, Birchington, had "received a phone call claiming there was a suspicious device in the grounds".

A spokesman said: "Officers attended and a search was carried out of the site. The incident is being treated as a hoax and enquiries are ongoing."

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