TWO teenage boys have appeared in court accused of planning to murder students and teachers in a “Columbine-style” school attack.

The 14-year-olds, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were arrested in Northallerton on Saturday on suspicion of plotting a terror attack.

They were charged with conspiracy to murder on Wednesday afternoon and appeared at Leeds Youth Court yesterday.

The boys, who wore grey sweaters, spoke only to confirm their names, date of births and addresses in Northallerton.

Their solicitors indicated they will deny conspiracy to murder when they formally enter a plea at a later hearing.

Appearing by video link from Westminster, prosecutor Rebecca Mundy outlined the charges of conspiracy to murder. One of the defendants also faces a charge of aggravated burglary in relation to a plan to break into a house and steal legally-owned firearms.

Ms Mundy told the court both of the charges are ones which “incur a maximum penalty of life imprisonment” and were the result of “an extremely disturbing series of events”.

During the 15-minute hearing the boys stared directly ahead.

They were led away in handcuffs after sitting with three security guards behind the glass dock.

Directly in front sat the parents of one of the boys and he mouthed "I love you" as he was led away.

Solicitors representing the youths did not apply for bail, but Sonny Lawton, representing one of them, said there would be an application at a future hearing.

District Judge David Kitson remanded them into secure youth justice accommodation.

They will appear at Leeds Crown Court on December 4.

Yesterday North Yorkshire Police provided extra security patrols around a school which has been the focus of the investigation, and the surrounding area.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “We are providing a bit of extra visibility and reassurance. We are working with the school and are offering reassurance to them.”

The school sent out a letter to parents reassuring them that student safety was of paramount importance and that they had all the measures in place to “make that our top priority”.

The letter went on: “We recognise that this is concerning and some of you may be upset and frightened by recent events. The school has mechanisms in place to support children and staff at this time.

“We are working very closely with the police and the local authorities in following our joint procedures which ensure we continue to prioritise the welfare of our students, parents, staff and wider community.

“The county council and North Yorkshire Police continue to work with other partners and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit. "The police have reassured that if there was any further risk to the school or those attending, other actions would be taken – for instance a higher police presence or closure of the school.

“North Yorkshire County Council’s staff are also working with the families involved, as well as providing support, through the police, health and wider partners, to all those affected by the investigation.”