A school in Australia has been evacuated after one of its pupils brought a World War II grenade to class.

The 11-year-old girl brought the explosive in to Hunter Christian School in Newcastle for a show and tell.

Principal Boyd Allen says the youngster thought it was a money box, in the shape of a grenade.

"She showed it to the teacher when she arrived at school, the teacher has been understandably alarmed. He contacted our head of primary and the two of them consequently arrived in my office with it in hand".

Police were so concerned about the explosive they called in bomb technicians who sent photos off to the Department of Defence.

A team then arrived from Sydney to come and take it away.

The school was evacuated and students ended up having the day after classes were cancelled.