A children's school project sparked a bomb scare that led to a rail station being evacuated.

Police were called in to investigate a "suspicious package" found on a platform at Hove this morning at 9.30am. 

The station was closed and evacuated while they assessed if the package presented a danger.

Meanwhile trains did not stop at the station and passed through to nearby Aldrington station instead.

There were claims on social media that there was a YouTube "prank" which had gone wrong.

But British Transport Police would not confirm this, and said instead it was a school project gone wrong.

"Strong words of advice" were issued to those who caused the bomb scare, the force said.

In a statement, officers said: "Shortly after 9.30am today, officers were called to Hove station after a suspicious item was found on the station platform.

"We were quickly on scene and the item was assessed by officers.

"It transpires the item was made for a school project which inadvertently provoked a security alert.

"Strong words of advice have been given in order to prevent further such alerts.

"The station reopened shortly after 10.35am."

Southern Rail confirmed the station had been closed, but has now reopened.