Two held after eight pupils shot by airgun

Eight pupils were injured when an air weapon was fired near a school yesterday.

Police said 11 children at Auchinleck Academy in East Ayrshire, five girls and six boys aged between 12 and 16, received injuries to the legs and torso. One pupil was still being treated at Crosshouse Hospital last night.

Officers were called to the academy at 1.40pm following reports of an airgun being fired. The incident happened less than half a mile from the school building.

A spokeswoman from East Ayrshire Council said: "The school responded immediately, informing the police and parents of the children involved, and sought appropriate medical attention."

An 18-year-old male and a 15-year-old boy have been detained.