Residents on Blackpool street evacuated at crack of dawn after 'hand grenade' found in home

Residents living on the lower and middle parts of the street were woken by officers knocking on doors at around 6am, who informed them that 'a device' had been discovered and that they would have to evacuate immediately - some of them still in their pyjamas.

The road remains closed off and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been called.

One woman in her 70s said: "A policeman came to the door and rang the bell at about 6am, which doesn't happen at our house. They said that there was a device within so many metres of us and we were to move out. We hadn't time to dress. I just want to get home and get some clothes on and go to work.

"There were three police officer at our door and it was very urgent, and so I'm now stood on the street in my dressing gown."

The upper parts of Raikes Parade, near Church Street, were also evacuated in the following hours.

One resident from that area, Valerie Green, 69, had left her home to go to the shops and was on her way back at around 7.30am when she was told by police that she could not re-enter her home. She said: "We have no idea when we'll be allowed back inside."

Mark Blythe, 50, was also among those who left his house this morning only to be told he could not return. "I came out about 8.30am and realised I had forgotten my bank card and they wouldn't let me back in," he said. "There's nothing I can do until they open the street again."

Another resident, Mr D. Morrison, 45, said: "They evacuated the lower end first - apparently they have been there all night.

"At about 4am I woke up and saw all the police out the front. First thing there was a strong police presence, but it seems to have been scaled down recently. There were two army officers in uniform that I could see. There was probably about 10 police vehicles and a big, blue tactical support van."

Evacuees were instructed by police to make their way to the Stanley Park community centre to await further instruction.

one man has been arrested in connection with the incident.