FIREFIGHTERS were called to a false alarm at a school in Southend.

Essex Fire Service attended Hamstel Junior School in the town after a call came in at 9.18pm.

A spokesman said: "We were called at 9.18pm and two fire engines were sent.

"We checked the building and confirmed there was no sign of fire and that it was a false alarm."

One witness at the scene said: "There were loads of them at the school, they were there for hours but there was no sign of any fire or smoke.

"It was very dramatic, no one knew what was going on."