THREATS on internet chat rooms suggesting a teenager would go on a gun rampage at a secondary school led to a major security alert this morning.

Armed police were stationed at St Aelreds Catholic Technology College, in Newton-le-Willows after the online conversations last night.

The school was effectively in lock-down with pupils having to stay indoors for several hours until the scene was declared safe.

Some time before noon officers swooped and arrested a 19-year-old man at a house in Newton-le-Willows.

He was due to be interviewed by detectives this afternoon on suspicion of making threats to kill.

St Aelreds’ headteacher Edward Marr stressed all pupils were safe, adding they and staff had coped “remarkably well” during the scare.

Several web users from across the globe told the Star today that they had passed last night’s discussions on to police.

Sources have suggested intelligence of threats was picked up by online security analysts at the FBI in America who relayed the messages to England.

A picture posted on an internet image board - which is circulating the web and has been seen by the Star – shows a gun-toting man displaying a handwritten message that reads: “Tomorrow last day of school. We gonna **** up the bullies and leave this world 11/06/2010.”

One message posted online read: “Tested it at firing range, we have two shotguns as well, it’s locked in but tomorrow I have a key.

“St Aelreds Catholic Technology College, England. watch BBC.”

After other forum users said they had raised the matter with police, it is alleged another picture appeared on the image site with the message 'trolled' written on paper. The phrase is meant to suggest it was a wind up.

In an earlier statement Merseyside Police confirmed they had dealt with a security alert at the 1,064 pupil school on Birley Street, Newton-le-Willows.

They added that police marksmen had been at the scene as a safety measure.

A Merseyside Police statement read: “Officers were made aware of threats to the college in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 11 June) and appropriate measures were put in place.

“A 19-year-old man from Newton-le-Willows has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and has been taken to a police station on Merseyside where he will be interviewed by detectives.”

Some concerned parents gathered at the school while the lock-down was ongoing, frantically trying to find out what was happening.

It is understood some pupils were sitting GCSE exams while the events unfolded.

Mr Marr, meanwhile, confirmed all pupils and staff had been kept inside the school at morning break time, but those measures had been relaxed by dinner time.

He held assemblies with each year to thank pupils for their calm response and inform them about this morning’s situation.

Mr Marr added: “We are absolutely fine and now having a normal day.”