POLICE say emails telling schools there is a bomb in their grounds are a hoax.

The emails inform the school that a bomb has been placed on the grounds and will be detonated if they don't hand over cash.

Detectives from Northumbria Police and North Yorkshire Police have been investigating.

Northumbria say they have looked into the emails – which appear to originate from the US - and say that there is no viable threat.

"Schools have been visited by police to reassure them that the incident is being treated as a hoax and address any concerns," said a spokeswoman.

"We take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously and an investigation into the emails in question is underway.

"If anyone has any information about the hoax then they should contact police on 101 quoting log 218 19/03/18."

North Yorkshire Police say: "We have had a number of reports this morning about a bomb hoax at many of our schools across the county. This is believed to be a national issue.

"Our Cybercrime Unit Detectives, supported by local officers, have looked at these incidents and it is not believed there is any genuine threat. We are working with schools to offer reassurance and address any concerns."