A HIGH school was put on lockdown after staff received a "malicious phone call", today.

Police were called to St Joseph's RC High School and Sports College in Horwich at around lunchtime.

They attended for approximately 45 minutes securing a perimeter around the school's building, before staff and pupils returned to lessons.

A statement on the school's Facebook page said that Police would be on site at St Josephs today and tomorrow.

It read: "A malicious phone call was received by school today. Police attended and a secure perimeter was established for 45 mins before normal school activities were resumed.

"A crime has been logged under the Malicious Communications Act and is subject to investigation. As a precaution Police have said that there will be a police presence on site at the end of the day today and tomorrow."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: Shortly before 11.20am on Tuesday 17 July 2018, police were called to reports that a school on Chorley New Road in Bolton had received malicious communications.

"Officers attended and an immediate area search was carried out.

"It has since been ascertained that this was a hoax call and there is not believed to be any threat to the community.

"Police will remain in the area throughout the coming days and enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 710 of 17/07/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.