Formby school lockdown over gunman fear

Students and staff were locked in their Merseyside school after practice sessions at an RAF rifle range sparked a hunt for a gunman, police have said.

A farmer told police he heard a gunshot on his land shortly after 1100 BST, sparking a major search operation in Formby.

Armed police scoured the area and the Range High School was told to lock its doors and keep everyone inside.

But after an hour-long hunt, no evidence of weapons use was found.

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended the farm, which is near to Altcar rifle range, and conducted a thorough search with the assistance of the police helicopter.

"At around 12pm the search was concluded with no evidence having been found of shots fired or people trespassing.

"The incident was not linked to Range High School, however the school was advised to keep staff and pupils inside as a precautionary measure until the situation was over."