Several international schools in the Indonesian capital Jakarta have closed after warnings of a possible terror attack.

The move came after Australia said it had received "credible information about the possible targeting of international schools with Western interests".

It is the second such threat made since a deadly bomb attack on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on 12 October, the spokeswoman said.

The Bali bomb attack killed nearly 200 people, many of whom were Australian.

'Credible information'

The British International School in Jakarta sent all 900 pupils home, and the Jakarta International School and the Australian International School are also closed.

Security in Indonesia is high after the Bali attack

Paramilitary and regular police are guarding the Jakarta International School, according to local radio reports.

"This is the first time to my knowledge that there has been credible information about a threat," said the principal of The British International School, Peter Hoggins, who has worked in Jakarta for six years.

A grenade attack on Jakarta's Australian school in November last year caused slight damage but no injuries.

Warnings

Australia has issued numerous warnings about the possibility of terrorist attacks in Indonesia since the Bali bombing.

Several foreign governments have even advised their nationals to leave the country altogether.

The US warned of unrest following the execution of Aimal Khan Kansi

An audiotape purportedly made by Osama Bin Laden, and broadcast this week, reiterated threats of new terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies - including Australia.

In addition, the US issued a worldwide warning last week of possible attacks as a reaction to the execution of a Pakistani man, Aimal Khan Kansi, for the murder of two CIA employees.

Kansi was executed early on Friday morning.