A security threat forced an Ashford primary school to close today when pupils were supposed to be sitting 11-plus exams, it has emerged.

Furley Park Primary Academy this afternoon admitted it lied to parents about a fictitious water leak so as "not to cause panic".

The nature of the "specific threat" to the school is unknown, but the message is now believed to be a hoax.

Dozens of children due to sit their 11-plus exam were among more than 500 turned away from the school this morning.

Around 35 youngsters were not be able to take the all-important Kent Test to secure a grammar school place.

Arrangements are now being made for the pupils to sit the test tomorrow - 24 hours later than the other 13,000 youngsters in the county.

Parents spoke of their anger at having to make alternative arrangements at short notice.

A statement on the school's website this afternoon said: "As you will be aware school has been closed today and the reason given was due to a major water leak.

"The reason given this morning was incorrect but was to ensure the safe evacuation of the children, parents and staff without causing panic.

"We can now make you aware, that this was not the case and was due to a specific security threat made directly to the school."

It added: "Given the content of the message and the current level of national security awareness, we sought the advice of the emergency services and the decision was made to evacuate and close the school.

"We now believe this to have been a hoax, however, I am sure you would agree that the safety of our children is of paramount importance and the safest place for the children was to be offsite.

"We appreciate your understanding and patience on this matter and would like to apologise to those children who were due to sit the Kent Test this morning.

"We have arranged with Kent Admissions for the children to sit the test tomorrow and school will be open as normal.

"Again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused today but the safety of the children remains our priority."

Parents arriving at the Park Farm school this morning were left confused when the gates were closed and were told their children would not be sitting the test.

A number of children whose parents were not able to collect them after dropping them off this morning have been taken to Kingsnorth Primary School where Furley Park head teacher Paul Ketley is invigilating 11-plus exams.

Speaking before the security threat emerged, one parent, who did not want to be named, said: "We went to the school this morning to be told it was closed. There were a lot of parents outside.

"We don't understand why they didn't transfer the children to another school to do the exam. We don't want them to be disadvantaged..." - parent of 11-plus pupil

"This is a very important day for the children, who have been preparing for this exam for months.

"We don't really know what is happening. They said a pipe burst and the building was unsafe for the children to enter.

"We don't understand why they didn't transfer the children to another school to do the exam. We don't want them to be disadvantaged."

Police spokesman Keith Fairbank said: "Kent Police was called at 8.25am on September 10 by a representative of Furley Park Primary Academy, reporting a security threat had been communicated to the school.

"From the information received, police believed this be a hoax but officers attended as a precaution and carried out a site assessment.

"Officers left the school around 9.20am, by which time the school had taken the decision to evacuate pupils."

Scott Bagshaw, head of admissions and transport at Kent County Council, said: "Children who registered to take the Kent Test at Furley Park Primary Academy will now be taking the test tomorrow.

"It is unfortunate when a situation arises which means we have to postpone the test, however we have arrangements in place that protect the security of the test.

"As with all children taking the Kent Test if there are concerns about the results not being as expected there are mechanisms in place to assess this and determine if the child would be able to cope in a grammar school."