Armed officers and a police helicopter swooped on an man with a gun today after he walked past a primary school.

Horrified teachers called police when they spotted the 71-year-old walking near the primary school and a nearby nursery at 11.40am.

Police scrambled a helicopter and sent armed officers to Collingbourne Church of Englnd Primary School and the nearby Dragonflies pre-school group.

Children were kept inside as officers tracked down the elderly suspect to his nearby home in Collingbourne, arresting him and seizing an air rifle.

But the stunned pensioner was freed when he explained to officers that he was out shooting vermin and had strayed onto the school's path by accident.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire police confirmed that the 71-year-old had been out hunting and was returning to his home in the village when he sparked the security scare.

She said: "Police were called to reports of a man carrying a weapon near to a school and pre-school in Collingbourne at 11.40am.

"A helicopter quickly arrived on the scene followed by officers shortly after. The man was arrested at a property nearby and an air weapon was seized.

"We are satisfied that he did not pose a threat to anyone and he has been spoken to by officers."

It is believed that the hunter had been carrying out vermin control in local fields before accidently walking near the school on his way home.

A school source added: "He did not go onto the school grounds at any point, he was simply walking past.

"Luckily the children were all inside having a singing practise anyway but we had staff ready to perform an emergency evacuation if needed.

"Lots of people do go shooting at the recreational ground and that is what he was doing."

One mum, who did not want to be named, told the Gazette: “We were all sent texts from the school to say there was some sort of incident but that the children were all inside and were safe.”

A statement from headteacher Jeff Mason read: "A man was arrested by police for firing an air rifle on the recreation field.

“This incident did not endanger children at Dragonflies pre-school or at Collingbourne Ducis school.”