A bomb disposal squad has carried out a controlled explosion of chemicals at a school.
Police were called to Poynton High School after it was discovered a potentially unstable substance was not being stored correctly.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers were called and safely carried out the explosion on the school grounds, on Yew Tree Lane, on Wednesday night.
It comes after a reminder was sent to schools by the Department of Education over how certain chemicals should be stored.
Schools were given contact details for the relevant authorities if they discovered any substances were not stored correctly.
The chemical 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, known as DNP, used to be used for chemistry lessons.
No one was injured during the incident.
David Waugh, headteacher at Poynton High, said: “The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team carried out a low level controlled explosion on the school fields to dispose of the chemical 2,4-DNP.
“Poynton High was the sixth school they had visited that day with a further two to visit later that evening to undertake the disposal of this chemical following updated guidance from the Department for Education.
“I contacted the Police at lunchtime on Wednesday and the disposal was carried out just before 6.30pm later that evening after everyone had gone home.
“Our sincere apologies to the local residents who may have heard the small explosive noise.”
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Cheshire Police supported the high school in Poynton in dealing with the disposal of a laboratory chemical safely on Wednesday, November 2 at 13:20 where a small controlled explosion was required to dispose of the chemical in the safest manner possible.
“This is part of national checks on school chemical stocks which is coordinated by the Department for Education.”
A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “There has always been guidance about how chemicals should be stored.
“A reminder has been given out to schools to say please remember this is how certain chemicals should be stored.
“Certain schools noticed they have not been stored correctly and have contacted the authorities.”
