TWO teenagers have been questioned following bomb hoaxes at Golborne High School and Bedford High School.

Officers were called to a report of a threat made towards the school on Lowton Road in Golborne, shortly after 12.20pm on Monday, November 23.

The same month there was a hoax at Bedford High School and Culcheth High School in Warrington.

All of the schools were evacuated as a precaution.

There were also bomb hoaxes at two schools in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Teenage boys aged 14 and 15 were both questioned under police caution yesterday, Thursday.

The two boys, who are both from the Greater Manchester area, have since been released pending further enquires.

Detective sergeant Alison McLoughlin from Chester Constabulary said: "I know that these incidents caused considerable concern to both the pupils and parents at the schools involved and I hope that this development will provide some reassurance.

"Enquiries are continuing and I would like to thank the schools involved for their support along with our colleagues at Greater Manchester and Devon and Cornwall Police."

At the time of the first incident at Golborne High School, an email sent to parents, read: "Good afternoon, firstly, can I thank you for your fast response to today's emergency situation.

"I know you must have been very worried but I was unable to disclose any information and my priority was keeping the children and staff safe.

"I can now explain that we received a bomb threat which the police took seriously.

"We had a precise amount of time we were given before the alleged attack would take place.

"This meant that we needed to evacuate the school to a a safe place and keep the children calm.

"The staff were amazing as were your children.

"We successfully safeguarded the children and evacuated the school, in a calm and orderly manner, to allow the police to search the premises.

"I can reassure you that the school is safe and that school will be open as normal tomorrow.

"Sadly, we live in strange times when selfish and dangerous behaviour such as this is becoming more frequent.

"However the most important thing is that everybody is safe and well and we can continue the business of education as normal."