A SERIES of hoax bomb threats against five schools in Avon and Somerset are being investigated by police.

More than 400 schools and colleges across the country are believed to have been targeted by threats which are believed to be coming from the US.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “We are aware of a series of malicious hoax communications to schools across the country today (19/03). We know of five in our force area.

"Enquiries continue to establish the facts and forces are working together to investigate who is responsible.

"We take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public."

A police spokesman said it will not confirm which schools are involved because it is wide of a nationwide incident and because hoaxers thrive off publicity.