Shefford Lower School is open as normal today, after being evacuated yesterday following a hoax bomb threat.

Pupils and staff were moved from the School Lane site to the nearby Robert Bloomfield Academy after receiving a bomb threat, with Bedfordshire Police alerted at 11.25am.

Initially the incident was only described as a “security concern”, but Shefford Lower later confirmed in a message to parents that the School Lane site was evacuated due to a bomb threat which has since been identified as a hoax.

It said: “Everything is confirmed safe, and children and staff are back in Shefford Lower School. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

“We were unable to give details earlier, however, we can now let you know that a bomb threat was received into the school.

“The police attended and, while they carried out their checks, said the safest place for the children was away from the building. We had already evacuated to the sports hall next door, but didn’t feel able to keep the children there indefinitely – hence the request to collect them.

“The police have now confirmed that this was a hoax and the school will be open as usual on Friday.”