A TEENAGER has been arrested after a Chard school went into lockdown following reports of an intruder. 

Holyrood Academy in Zembard Lane activiated its lockdown procedure at 12.20pm today (November 13) after the headteacher was informed there was a risk of an intruder coming onto the site. 

Mr Matthew Collins, headteacher of Holyrood Academy, said: "At 12.20pm today (November 13), I was informed by a credible source that there was a risk of an intruder intending to access the Holyrood Academy site.

"We immediately contacted the police and our lockdown procedure was initiated.

"The police were able to apprehend and detain the suspect before they reached the Academy site.

"The lockdown was in operation for no more than 15 minutes, after which the school day returned to normal."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said:  "We were called to reports of a disturbance in Chard earlier this afternoon at about 12.30pm.

"We have arrested a teenager on suspicion of affray in the Chardleigh Green area and seized what appears to be a metal bar."