Five schools in the Bristol region have received hoax bomb threats which are being investigated by police.

It comes after hundreds of schools across the UK received the same threat, with some evacuating their pupils.

The threats, which police say they are treating as a hoax at this stage, came this morning as schools were re-opening after a night of snow.

Bristol Free School were placed on lock down and students searched. One pupil said: “We are in the middle of a lockdown. We haven’t been told anything by the teachers or police, but they are searching our bags.

“All of the other year groups are affected. We were told there were a number of incidents in Bristol this morning.

“I spoke to my father who rang the police and my dad told me many schools across the country have received several threats.

“The police are currently searching our bags and persons for unknown items. We have been told not to leave the class rooms, and have been told very little.

“We are scared and confused and have no idea what is going on.”

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said they were investigating the threats, which were made to schools in the force area.

He added: “We are being made aware of threats made to five schools today, March 19.

“These threats are being treated as hoaxes at this stage but we are thoroughly investigating each one.

“The police take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public.