WINSFORD Academy sent out a text message to parents of their pupils to reassure them that there had been ‘no sightings of clowns’ at the school.

The message was sent out on Wednesday on behalf of the new principal, Amanda Harrison, after rumours began to circulate with pupils following a visit from the police.

The text message read: “Important message from Mrs Harrison, principal. There have been no sightings of clowns in or around the school, nor has the school been on ‘lock down’. The visit from the police was a normal social visit.”

The Guardian spoke to the principal, who started in September, and she confirmed that a reassuring text was deemed appropriate.

Mrs Harrison said: “The police came here on a social visit to see me as I’m new to the post and people jumped to conclusions.

“The children are becoming increasingly nervous and I felt it was best to send out a reassuring text.

“It was a response to rumours that I felt was scaring the children and I don’t know where the rumours came from.”