POLICE have investigated comments made by a pupil over rumours of a possible shooting at a Hampshire school.

Parents of Wildern School, in Hedge End, were sent a letter from the school saying the threat was taken 'very seriously' amid the police investigation on November 27.

Those parents have hit back at the school for its 'flippant' response.

The letter was sent to parents and children and said: "As many of you will be aware, today there were rumours that there would be a shooting at school.

"As you can imagine, this was taken very seriously by the school, but our comprehensive emergency procedures would have been used if required.

"Fortunately, I am happy to report that today was business as usual. I wish you all a restful weekend."

Nathan Ottaway, who has a daughter in year ten of the school, slammed the way associate head teacher Ceri Oakley dealt with the incident after the letter was distributed after school had finished on Friday.

Nathan, a sales manager, said: "It's disgusting. I wouldn't want my daughter to be sent into school if there was going to be a shooting.

"I would want to know about it, and keep her at home.

"It's really flippant but they are quite happy to phone us about anything else like uniform or behaviour."

Another parent on social media added: "I have told [my daughter] if she hears about any shooting that may happen on the day she is there, she is to leave the school and go home, and ring me. I will not let the school play God with my child."

Police say they had been warned by a member of staff, and quizzed the pupil and their family over the comments that sparked the shooting rumours.

Officers said that no offences had been identified.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 11.51am on November 27 by a member of staff at Wildern School in Hedge End who raised concerns about comments made by a pupil.

"Officers have liaised with the school, the pupil and the pupil's family to investigate the nature of the comments made.

"No offences have been identified at this time."

The school did not respond to repeated requests for comment from the Daily Echo.