School plunged into lockdown with pupils 'hiding under desks' after water pistol mistaken for firearm

However, police on the scene have now said that the incident was caused by a water pistol.

After children hid under tables, with alarms going off across the premises and a significant police response, an officer on the scene said the whole incident was a false alarm.

They told parents that the commotion was caused after a "water pistol" was fired at a student.

He added that calls came into the police that a child "with a firearm" was present at the school, which caused the massive response.

Greater Manchester Police has said there is "no ongoing risk" at the school.

A spokesman said: "Officers are at Cedar Mount Academy in Gorton after they alerted us to a reported threat made to the school.

"We've responded and identified no ongoing risk or threat to anyone in the school.

"We're remaining at the school to provide reassurance as we start to investigate the circumstances behind the reported threat."

The alarm was initially raised when people witnessed police arriving at the school and subsequently, crowds of people gathered outside the school's gates.

Parents had also taken to social media, expressing their concerns, describing their children have said they are "under tables" and the school is "swarmed with police".

The police officer on site continued to say that it was "just two kids messing around", reports the Manchester Evening News.

No injuries have been caused, confirmed the police.