PANICKED parents said they were left shaken after a text from a Westbrook primary school led them to believe their child was missing.

It is thought the majority of parents received the message from St Philips on Friday asking them to confirm their child was absent.

Phone lines were jammed as mums and dads frantically tried to call the school to check their child was okay with some rushing to the school to ensure they were safe.

One mum said: “The school is blaming a computer error but this caused stress, panic and mayhem with the school telephone line permanently engaged and parents having to go to the school to physically check the safety of their child.

“It was a total joke and I was so scared.

“I was fuming once I realised what had happened.”

Dad Nick Brook said it took him nearly two hours to get through to the school as every other parent was trying to call at the same time while other parents claimed there was a second text 20 minutes later apologising for the error.

Mum Michelle Speakman added: “It made me angry as on the Tuesday I had a call from my eldest daughter’s secondary school to say she was missing from school when she wasn't.

“Then to receive this call in the same week for me to confirm both my younger ones were absent.

“I have no trust in the school systems anymore.”

Clare Ball added on the Warrington Guardian Facebook page: “Why would it ever be acceptable to text that type of message and put the fear of God into parents.

“The school should be ashamed and making big apologies and changes.”

A spokesman from the school said: “We experienced a technical problem.

“A routine text message normally only sent to ask parents why their child isn’t in school was sent to a number of parents.

“We’re investigating how this happened but in the meantime we’ve suspended the system and we’ve written to all parents explaining the matter and apologising for the inconvenience and concern caused.”