Terror alert over Christmas invite

A school called in police when a "suspicious" envelope containing powder arrived - and then discovered that it was a glittery Christmas invitation.

Three members of staff at Overmonnow Primary School in Monmouth, south Wales, who had touched the envelope were advised to isolate themselves until officers discovered what it contained.

But the suspect package turned out to be an invitation from the local town council to attend their Christmas lights switch-on.

Headteacher Huw Williams said the school had already had two incidents of vandalism.

"Then we received an envelope which was hand-written and addressed to me personally and we thought maybe the three events were interlinked," he said.

"There was clearly something in the envelope - there was a significant quantity of powder moving from one side to the other.

"We were a little suspicious as to what was going on and took the careful option of calling the police."

Mr Williams and two others spent 45 minutes in isolation before a Gwent Police officer who had taken away the envelope to be opened in "a controlled environment" confirmed it was harmless.

"It was a relief to find out it was just glitter," said Mr Williams.