AN RAF 'practice' bomb found in a shopping bag in the grounds of a Kendal primary school, caused a major alert in the town on Tuesday.

A bomb disposal squad from Catterick raced to Kendal after local police received an anonymous phone call just before 9 am, from a man telling them that he had found a bomb just inside the grounds of Vicarge Park School.

Before giving any further information he hung up.

Police immediately cordoned off the area around the school and nearby residents were asked if they wanted to leave.

Several did so and others were warned to stay away from windows.

An officer from the bomb disposal unit confirmed that the bomb was harmless but there was no way of knowing this without a trained person examining it.

It was a 'practice' bomb used by the RAF, which - if it had been active - would have released smoke and possibly a small flame.

But the one found was not active, he confirmed.

Acting police inspector Ian Carruthers said it was very fortunate that the school was closed for the Christmas holiday, otherwise a full evacuation would have been necessary.

The incident had caused alarm and upset for local people, he said, but the police had to act as if the bomb was live while the bomb squad investigated.

The bomb was found in a 'Principles' shopping bag and was lying against the perimeter wall of the school playing field.

Police were making inquiries about where the bomb had come from, said Inspector Carruthers, and anyone with information can telephone Kendal Police Station, 01539-722611.