Pupils have been evacuated from three schools in East Renfrewshire.

Emergency services are at St Luke’s, St Mark’s and Barrhead High.

East Renfrewshire Council was quick to state that all pupils are “safe and well”.

They are understood to have gathered at Cowan Park in Barrhead.

East Renfrewshire Council’s official Twitter account is providing live updates.

Shortly before midday it was stated: “Pupils evacuated from St Luke's and Barrhead High. Emergency services are at both sites and pupils are safe and well.”

The Twitter account said thirty minutes later: “Please be assured all pupils are safe and this is simply a precaution. We will update you as soon as we can.”

In the last few minutes the account stated: “Children have been evacuated at St Luke’s, Barrhead High and St Mark’s as a precaution. Please be assured that children are safe. There is no cause for alarm. Police are on site and we will update as soon as we have more information.”

A senior council source said: "The evacuations were caused by bomb scares at three schools.

"All children are back in class and classes are continuing as normal."

A spokeswoman for Greater Glasgow Police Division said: "A number of schools in the East Renfrewshire area have received a threat via the telephone. Staff and police are currently searching school buildings. There have not been any reports of injuries and schools are returning to normal. Officers are continuing inquiries."

It is understood police are treating the threat as a malicious call.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Police alerted us at 11:09am. A special operations team attended and there were no casualties.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We sent three appliances to St Luke’s High School and two to St Mark’s Primary School following alarm calls received shortly before 10:50am and 11:50am.

“Both schools were evacuated as a precautionary measure. There were no indications of fire at either incident and no reports of any injuries.”
 

East Renfrewshire Council is providing updates on their website: http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/article/6621/Schools-evacuated