Updated: Emergency services stood down after bomb scare

The Veteran’s Agency building, which deals with war pensions, in Norcross Lane, was evacuated as a ‘precaution’, police say.

The discovery was made at around 1.20pm today.

One motorist told The Gazette he saw an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) vehicle heading to Blackpool on the M55 shortly after 3pm.

In a statement, a Lancashire Police spokesman said: “We are currently dealing with a report of a suspicious package at a building in Thornton.

“People were called at around 1.20pm today following reports a suspicious package had been received at the Veteran’s Agency just off Norcross Lane.

“As a precaution the building has been evacuated and the EOD are on their way to the scene.”

The building was later declared safe at around 4.30pm and emergency services were stood down.

A Lancashire police spokesman said tonight: “A package found at a building in Thornton is no longer being treated as suspicious.

“Police were called at around 1.20pm today (Tuesday, January 17th) following reports a suspicious package had been received at the Veterans Agency just off Norcross Lane.

“As a precaution the building was evacuated and the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended to assess the item in question.

“It has now been determined that the package was a genuine delivery and the alarm was raised with good intent. There is no threat to anyone at the site or in the wider community. The situation is returning to normal.

Our priority throughout this incident was the safety of the people at the site and we would like to thank everyone for their support and co-operation.”