A TEENAGER armed with a machete-type knife was arrested after police were called to an incident at an Accrington high school.

The 15-year-old, believed to be from Burnley, was due to appear before Hyndburn magistrates today charged with making threats to kill and possessing an a offensive weapon.

Police were called to Moorhead High yesterday when teachers on lunchtime duty spotted an intruder in the school grounds carrying a machete-style weapon.

And today both the police and the headteacher of Moorhead High praised the calm action taken by teachers and pupils.

Headteacher Allan Grey said: "I have never had to deal with a situation of this nature before but the police reaction was superb and my staff also acted very quickly. "The police arrived at the school in large numbers and a youth was arrested in the vicinity almost straight away."

Mr Grey added: "Staff on lunchtime duty saw an intruder who they believed to armed.

"They immediately moved the children away from the scene and approached the intruder who backed away and left the school grounds."

The headmaster went on: "The children acted very calmly and there was no excitement or hysteria.

"The police then came and gave us assurances that everyone was safe and a youth had been arrested."

Mr Grey also sent a letter out to all parents of pupils hours after the incident took place.

He said: "I sent a letter out so parents were aware of what went on, incidents like this can get exaggerated.

"I wanted to reassure parents the incident was dealt with quickly by staff and police and no one was in any danger"

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