AN INVESTIGATION was launched yesterday after a sick hoaxster threatened to blow up a Barrhead school – just hours after a terror attack in Manchester.

Parents, pupils and staff were left sickened by the bomb hoax, which took place at Barrhead High shortly before 10am.

Youngsters remained in their classrooms as officers carried out a search of the school before leaving more than two hours later.

Robbie McLaughlin, 16, was sitting a Higher biology exam when the incident happened.

He told the Barrhead News that he saw the janitor enter the hall before noticing police officers outside the window.

Robbie said: “It is really shocking this has happened so soon after the attack in Manchester.

“People in the school were really concerned and it’s horrible that someone would try to cause fear on the back of what happened yesterday.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Police are treating as malicious a threatening communication sent to Barrhead High School, Aurs Rd, Barrhead, around 9.55am this morning.

“Police carried out a search of the school and nothing suspicious was found. The school was not evacuated.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “A malicious communication was received by one of our schools and police were contacted in line with our procedures.

“This was thoroughly investigated and was shown to be unfounded. Pupils remain in class as normal.”