Two primary schools have been evacuated after reports bombs were left on the premises.

Calls came in shortly after 9am to Bersted Green Primary School in Laburnum Grove, Bognor, and Castledown Primary School in Priory Road, Hastings. 

It comes as a further nine schools elsewhere in the country were also targeted by hoax bomb threats.

Pupils and staff at both schools were evacuated and the buildings and grounds were searched by police officers.

Pupils at Castledown Primary School were taken to the nearby Emmanuel Church hall and parents have been asked to collect their children.

The school has been closed for the rest of the day.

Superintendent Carwyn Hughes, of Sussex Police, said: "The calls were received by the schools just minutes apart.

"They show similarities to a number of calls that were received at other schools in the UK. 

"The calls remain under investigation as malicious hoaxes."

According to local media reports across the country other schools have been affected today, including Sherborne Primary School in Sherborne, Southill Primary School in Weymouth, Parkfield School in Taunton, Boxgrove Primary School in Guildford, Ford Primary School in Plymouth, St Sidwell's School in Exeter, Oakfield Primary School in Totton, Castle Primary School in Portchester, Castle Hill Primary School in Basingstoke, Whitehouse Community Primary School in Ipswich and Highlands Primary School in Bransholme.

According to national reports, around 16 schools in Suffolk were evacuated with parents being told to collect their children urgently. It is not know if these were also due to hoax bomb threats.

As previously reported by national media, similar incidents happened in schools from Kent all the way up to Newcastle last May.

It was reported that 27 schools across the country were plunged into chaos during GCSE exams after receiving bomb threats.

Superintendent Hughes added: “Any parents concerned about their children should contact the school they attend or the local education authority for further advice and information while the matter is further investigated.

“If any threat is received by a school, please contact police on 999.”