A NUMBER of homes were evacuated at Warrington early today after the discovery of an old artillery shell.
Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the Dam Lane area of Woolston following the discovery of the shell in the rear of one of the properties.
As a precaution, officers evacuated a number of residents from their homes and a cordon was put in place around the area.
Bomb squad officers were called to the scene to examine the device.
It was determined that the device was inactive and it was subsequently removed from the scene. Residents were allowed to return to their homes and all road closures were lifted.
A police spokesperson said: At around 1.20 this morning (Monday 28 July) police and colleagues from the Cheshire Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance services, responded to reports that a suspicious item had been found in the Dam Lane area of Woolston.
“Officers attended the scene and found that an old artillery shell had been located in the rear of one of the properties. As a precaution, officers subsequently evacuated a number of residents from nearby properties and a cordon was put in place, whilst colleagues from EOD attend the scene to assess the device.
“It was determined that the device was inactive and it was subsequently removed from the scene, with residents having since been allowed to return to their homes and all subsequent road closures being lifted.
“We would like to thank residents and supporting colleagues for their cooperation, assistance and understanding over the course of the response to this incident.”
