AROUND 800 pupils were sent home from school after an elaborate bomb hoax.

Two roads were sealed off and Army bomb squad officers called after a suspicious device was found in a waste bin.

The discovery was made on tennis courts at Prestwich Community High School's Heys Road entrance around noon on Friday (Feb 2).

A remote-controlled robot removed the suspect package at 3.45pm. It was taken away for examination by the bomb squad.

Most of the schoolchildren were allowed home while a small number, who were unable to return to their houses, were led to a safe area.

A resident told the Bury Times: "One minute it was a normal Friday lunchtime, and the next thing the area was swarming with police officers and a helicopter was circling overhead."

A police spokesman said: "We cordoned off a stretch of Heys Road and Heywood Road and some residents on Heys Road were asked to leave their homes.

"During the alert, returning householders were not able to get into their homes. Those who were already inside were asked to stay there."

He added: "We evacuated the school and a number of residents from nearby houses as a precaution.

"The device was a hoax and we are now following one particular line of inquiry."