A schoolboy has been cautioned by police after he sold drugs on school grounds to another pupil who was armed with a knife.

Police have confirmed the boy, now 12, a pupil at a Clacton school, was cautioned for supplying herbal cannabis inside school grounds.

A 15-year-old boy was also cautioned for possession of herbal cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon described by police as "bladed".

Police said on Thursday they were called to the school by a member of staff and arrested two boys and a substance was seized.

A spokesman for Essex County Council's education department said any disciplinary action would have to wait until confirmation of the drug was received from Essex Police.

The spokesman added schools in Essex have a tough anti-drugs policy.

He said: "All schools have their own policies to discourage the use of drugs so that pupils are under no illusions as to the position of drugs in schools. They are not allowed.

"Schools are working with other agencies to reinforce the drugs message to both parents and school pupils."

A senior teacher and spokesman for the school said: "The boys could face exclusion from the school.

"The headteacher will have the final decision but that can be overturned by the board of governors. We totally abhor the use of drugs and we try to make sure pupils do not have access to to them inside school.

"Obviously we discourage drugs and their use in school and make every possible attempt to make sure they are not admitted."

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