POLICE officers visited Little Lever High School to offer reassurance to pupils after a sinister group of clowns threatened to "strike" the area tomorrow.

An Instagram account entitled Bolton Killer Clowns, which has now been deleted, wrote menacingly: "We are striking Little Lever on Wednesday.

"We will be everywhere. Watch your back — we are coming."

Another Instagram account, called Killer Clowns Bolton, remains online as a private account with 60 followers.

Police have promised to take action against those "who are causing fear".

Yesterday local bobbies visited the high school.

Cllr Rees Gibbon, who is a director at Little Lever High School, said: "The police in the area called into school to warn pupils about the clowns and offer reassurance to them.

"This was a courtesy visit by the police, who we are always pleased to see as they are friends of the school.

"I'm sure pupils would have been told what to do if they saw a clown."

One person wrote on the Little Lever Facebook Page yesterday: "Earlier yesterday evening my 15-year-old daughter encountered one of the clowns hanging around Victory Road/ Ainsworth Road, scared her a bit. This nonsense needs to stop before someone gets hurt!"

Another wrote on The Bolton News Facebook page that her daughter was too scared to go to school because of the threats made by the clowns.

A social media account that threatened to cause trouble at five Bury high schools was shut down.

Since Friday, there have been alleged clown sightings reported in Breightmet, Farnworth, Harper Green, Astley Bridge, Harwood and Westhoughton.

Police warning after spate of sinister 'clown sightings' across Bolton

Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are aware of this menacing craze, which originated in the USA, and will take action against those who are causing this fear.

"The individuals who are getting involved in this may not realise just how frightening it is to be on the receiving end, especially for children.

"It’s important to stress that no one has been physically harmed and I want to reassure people that we take reports of this nature extremely seriously.

"If you witness an incident, or want to make a report, please contact police as soon as possible on 101."