HUNDREDS of students were disrupted after there were two false alarms in two days in a Blackburn College building.

Malicious call-outs from smashed glass alarm units were made to the fire brigade at 1.50pm yesterday and 9.30am on Thursday -- a day after the college ran a fire drill.

Today the fire service warned against the unnecessary call-out of two engines and a specialised unit, which leaves Blackburn without cover.

The idea for the prank, which disrupted lessons for around half an hour, is thought to have been triggered by the routine fire drill.

Blackburn College issued a statement to say that "appropriate disciplinary action" had been taken to tackle the problem.

College principal Sheena Ewing said: "In most of our buildings we automatically check it out if an alarm rings before we call out the fire brigade.

"The alarm has been triggered on two occasions by students and we have taken the necessary disciplinary actions."

Leading firefighter Tony Keane attended both incidents.

He said: "I obviously urge the people behind this kind of prank to stop as it leaves Blackburn without its own service when we are out at this job.

"Crews have to be called in from another area in the event of a real emergency.

"It causes a great deal of inconvenience not only to the fire service but to staff and students."