AN ARMED response unit was put on standby after two pupils were seen brandishing a gun outside a school.
Officials at North Liverpool Academy had to apologise to police after confirming the weapon was a prop for a school filming project.
A resident called the police after seeing the teenagers carrying the gun in Priory Road, Anfield, outside the academy last Friday.
Pupils and staff were told to remain inside the premises as officers went to confront the two gunmen.
An armed response unit was also put on standby due to the potential danger of a firearm incident.
But after turning up, officers learned the two teenagers were holding what they believed was an air pistol being used as part of a film project.
Head teacher Kay Askew apologised for the “confusion” and handed the weapon to officers.
A Merseyside police spokesman said officers attended after “reports two youths were carrying a firearm” at around 10am.
He added: “On arrival, it became clear two youths were filming a scene as part of a school exercise.
“Officers spoke with the head teacher of the school, who apologised for the confusion and gave the weapon – thought to be an air pistol – to the officers to dispose of.”
The pistol was not loaded.
Mrs Askew was unavailable for comment.
North Liverpool Academy opened in 2006 with the aim of driving up education standards.
Exam results have soared, with the number of students getting five good GCSEs almost doubling to 79% last year.