THREE schools in Cornwall had to be evacuated early this morning after a series of hoax bomb threats were made across the country and in France.

Penair School in Truro, Humphry Davy School in Penzance and St Ives were all forced to abandon lessons after being made aware of the situation.

However after a quick assessment there was found to be no threat and the pupils returned to lessons.

Posting on its website Penair School said: " Following information about a perceived threat a small number of schools in Cornwall evacuated their pupils in accordance with their agreed procedures. The threat was quickly found to be non existent and pupils have returned to their classrooms."

Richard Lander was also said to have been threatened but denied it had received any calls. Informing parents on Twitter, Richard Lander School said: "We would like to reassure all parents that we have not been affected by the security threat calls this morning contrary to anything you might have read elsewhere. Your children are safe and dry."

Parents responded by thanking the school for the reassurance.

Police said at around 8am this morning the schools received calls saying a potential security threat was imminent.

They said inquiries were continuing and the incident was being treated as a "malicious communication'.

A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police said there was found to be no threat or no risk to any children or staff.

Cornwall Council said all classes were back to normal Four schools in London were also evacuated this morning as well as six in west Midlands and five in Paris, France after threats were received.