A SCHOOL and leisure centre had to be evacuated earlier today following a hoax bomb threat.

Consett Academy and Leisure Centre, in County Durham, received notification from Durham Police that the 999 control room had received an anonymous call relating to a bomb threat at the site at around lunchtime.

Police and staff evacuated the building safely and searches of both the school and leisure centre were carried out, based upon the intelligence received.

Emergency services were able to establish that the claims were false and the building was reopened.

An Academy spokesperson said: "We would like to thank the police, colleagues in leisure centre, staff and students for the way in which they conducted themselves during the hoax."

A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said: “We were called to Consett Academy shortly after 1pm to safely evacuate the premises, together with the nearby leisure centre, to protect those inside.

“We would like to reassure people that there is no risk to the public.

“We treat incidents like this very seriously.”