COPS are today hunting the twisted culprit behind a 'bomb threat' which prompted the evacuation of three schools.

More than 1500 pupils and staff at St Luke's, Barrhead high schools and St Mark's Primary School were evacuated yesterday morning.

Emergency services raced to all three sites after a threat was made to each school over the phone.

The Evening Times understands each school received a malicious phone call, which played a recorded message about a 'bomb threat'.

Pupils from the three schools were kept at nearby Cowan Park in Barrhead while extensive searches of each building was searched.

A fourth school - St Ninian's High in Giffnock - was also searched but was not evacuated.

Emergency services including the Scottish Ambulance Service’s special operations team attended and carried out "thorough searches" of the buildings.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman 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."

Detectives are now working to identify those responsible for the scare.

Pupils were finally allowed to return to their classrooms shortly after 1pm when the all-clear was given by emergency services.

An East Renfrewshire statement read: "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."