FIREARM experts were called to a primary school after a boy was found with a ballbearing gun.

Police attended St Hubert’s RC Primary School on Hallfield Road in Great Harwood on Monday afternoon after a BB gun was brought in by an eight-year-old boy.

The gun, which was a present from the boy’s dad, was safely seized by police who said they will be speaking to the child’s parents.

It is believed the boy has now been temporarily excluded from school.

Julie Brooks, headteacher at St Hubert’s, said: “I can confirm that an incident did take place within school, which was dealt with extremely quickly and safely by staff in accordance with the robust procedures we have in place.

“Police were called and advice was given which resolved the issue.

“I would like to reassure parents that no one was threatened or in danger at any time, and that although events like this are extremely rare in our school, they are taken very seriously as the safety and security of our pupils is paramount.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”

The Armed Response Vehicle unit, which attended the school following the reports, also warned against children bringing toy guns into school.

A statement on their Twitter page said: “[The gun was] seized from an eight-year-old child who had brought it into school to show his friends.

“It was a birthday present bought by his father.

"Officers will be speaking to the father in due course. We don’t want items like this in our schools.”

A police spokesman added: “We were called around 2.20pm on Monday, September 10 following reports a firearm had been seized from a pupil at a primary school in Great Harwood.

“The gun was made safe and will be destroyed in due course.

“The boy’s father will be given words of advice.”

Ward representative for the area, Councillor Noordad Aziz, was quick to praise the school for what he called their ‘sterling’ actions.

He said: “First of all I’d like to say thankfully nothing bad happened.

“The correct action was taken by staff at the school to ensure this and they acted swiftly.

“What is concerning is how the child came into contact with the gun. I understand they are legal but had it been discharged around the other children there could have been a terrible accident.

“What I want to stress is how the school did a sterling job with handling the situation.

“I would now ask that parents ensure that if they have any of these kinds of items in their homes they take care to secure them in a safe place where children can’t come in contact with them.”