AN investigation has been launched after messages asking for inappropriate pictures were sent to a pupil at a Bolton primary school.

Police have now spoken with the families of several pupils aged under 10 at The Oaks Primary School in Sharples and are warning parents to be vigilant.

The messages, which are believed to have come from a rogue Instagram account, are understood to have made sexual references and asked the pupil to reply with inappropriate pictures of themselves.

The messages were not sent to the pupil at school — but concerns were raised with the school because of the apparent link to a number of pupils who attend the school.

It is understood that just one child engaged with the perpetrator, but that other pupils at The Oaks have made contact with the account by following it on Instagram.

The messages were reported to police on March 17, and detectives are examining mobile phones used by pupils to try to trace the origin of the account.

Police say their investigation is not confined to children at The Oaks, but they are planning to send out a letter to the school's pupils and parents about the investigation.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the exact details were still being worked out, but that there was no evidence that any pupils' phones or Instagram accounts had been hacked.

They added: "Investigations are ongoing and we are making all appropriate enquiries.

"We are giving as much safety guidance to children as possible to keep young children safe online."

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Cllr Paul Wild, who represents Astley Bridge, is a governor at The Oaks, and said parents must be made aware of the investigation.

He said: "I am very concerned about this and I would strongly encourage parents to be extra vigilant and for children to tell their parents if they are sent anything inappropriate — and not to respond to anyone who contacts them over the internet who they do not know.

"People need to be aware of this, as every time something like this happens it is another reason to sit your kids down and talk to them about these issues.

"It is the modern day equivalent of not taking sweets from a stranger or talking to people they do not know.

"I would also stress that if parents have any suspicions that their child has received such messages they should contact the police immediately."

Bolton Council said it would not be appropriate for them to comment on the investigation.

The Oaks Primary School is closed for the Easter holidays until Monday, April 13.

Its latest newsletter, distributed to parents of pupils on March 23, included an "important" message on internet safety.

It said: "We want to raise awareness amongst parents.

"Please check any online accounts that your children have on a regular basis.

"Check that they are not contacting ‘individuals’ that you do not know."