POLICE were called to a Bournemouth primary school on Wednesday morning following a threatening phone call.

Staff at Pokesdown Community Primary School alerted Dorset Police after receiving a phone call which suggested there was a threat in the area around the school.

Officers searched the area near the Livingstone Road school and also the perimeter of the school but did not enter the premises.

At the same time, a number of schools in Dorset and Hampshire were evacuated following bomb threats.

All were found to be safe and pupils are now back at their desks.

Police have since said the calls were a hoax.

Schools included Sherborne Primary School in Sherborne, Southill Primary School in Weymouth, Oakfield Primary School in Totton, Castle Primary School in Portchester and Castle Hill Primary School in Basingstoke.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "The schools were evacuated as a precaution and a search was carried out. At this time, it is believed the threats were a malicious hoax and there is no direct risk to pupils, staff or the wider community."