Wills and Durdham halls of residence in Bristol, and Durham Castle and Durham Student's Union were evacuated this afternoon due to seemingly identical bomb scares.

It is thought that both universities received an email saying that explosives had been placed in buildings. The bomb scares are now being treated as a hoax.

In Durham the student's union (DSU) and the Castle were both evacuated and searched but nothing was found.

The University of Bristol told students who live in the Stoke Bishop halls not to return until the situation was solved.

Photographs courtesy of @amyvthompson show cordoned off entrance to Will's Hall in Bristol.

[Picture 2 shows Durham Castle and Wills Halls in Bristol]