Flour road markings for Glasgow runners spark emergency alert

A "suspicious" substance found on a Glasgow pavement sparked an emergency response - but turned out to be flour markings for runners.

Five Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) appliances, including a hazardous materials unit, attended the scene in Shawlands on Monday.

Roads were temporarily closed and pupils were escorted out of school.

Flour can be used as a marker to show runners they are following the correct route.

Stretches of the pavements on Tantallon Road and Bellwood Street were cordoned off while specialists investigated.

Children at Langside Primary School had to be let out class by class at the end of the school day.

Police and fire personnel stood by as the pavement outside the school was one of the areas cordoned off.

However parents were later told that the substance had posed no risk.

A message from the school to parents said: "Police and fire service took precautions to ensure everyone's safety when a suspicious white powder was found on local pavements.

"They have confirmed there is and was no risk to the children as this was a flour-based product that had been put down for a running route.

"The road and pavements are now open again."

Police Scotland said the alarm was raised on Bellwood Street at about 14:00 on Monday following the discovery of an "unknown substance" outside flats.

A force spokesman said: "As a precaution, a cordon was put in place along with a number of local road closures."

They added investigations established that the substance was not harmful.

No local running clubs have claimed responsibility.