A HEREFORD headteacher has today written to all parents after one of his pupils threatened to carry out a shooting.

Martin Henton, the acting headteacher, said staff were made aware of a safeguarding allegation last Friday.

This, he added, was taken very seriously and West Mercia Police were contacted by the school.

"We took their advice and closed the school gates to follow basic protocol to ensure that there was no threat to any student or member of staff whilst the incident was investigated," he wrote in a message to parents today.

Mr Henton claimed the police did not attend the school at any time during their response to the incident.

"And shortly afterwards it was confirmed that the allegation was an idle rumour," he explained.

"Safeguarding is, as always, at the heart of our school."

West Mercia Police told the Hereford Times they were contacted by the school at 1.30pm last Friday but said no arrests were made.

They did, however, add that 'words of advice were given to two pupils'.

But a spokesperson confirmed no offences were found to have been committed.