Blast scare hamlet is evacuated

Residents were evacuated from a Shropshire hamlet after fears suspected "dynamite sticks" could explode.The bomb squad was called to Bratton Road, Bratton, yesterday, at about 5.45pm, when Jeff Barnett discovered what he thought was dynamite in the overgrown grass in his back garden.

A 100m cordon was set up around the property and about 20 residents were asked to leave their homes.

Members of the bomb squad travelled from Cheltenham to discover the "dynamite sticks" were commercial fireworks designed to look like dynamite. Police said the call to emergency services had been made with good intention.

Mr Barnett, 26, who rents the property with his girlfriend, Michelle Macree, also 26, said: "I was mowing the garden and I came across what I thought looked like a firework, so I ran it over, but then I realised it looked like dynamite sticks.

"I got a stick and hit it, but it didn't go off. Our lodger then came back and said it looked like it was from World War Two so we phoned the police and that's when we were all evacuated."

Miss Macree said: "I couldn't believe the whole road got evacuated but we did think they were dynamite."

Neighbours Shaun Evans, 37, and his sister Deborah Evans, 35, were evacuated from their home.

Miss Evans said: "It was quite frightening, especially when you've got young children.

"It's a rural village so you don't normally hear anything down here."

Mr Evans who returned from the takeaway to discover the cordon, said: "Police were everywhere and then we were evacuated. It was quite scary for everyone."

One elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said her neighbours contacted her daughter who came to pick her up, but she said she was pleased to get back into her own home after police allowed residents back through the cordon on the condition they stayed inside.

Residents were allowed back into their homes about two hours after the discovery was made and the police left the scene at about 9.15pm.

Sergeant Danny Taylor, of West Mercia Police, said: "When the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were able to properly examine the sticks they established they were elaborate fireworks, designed to look like they were sticks of dynamite.

"Since they were satisfied they were safe they took them away from the scene."

By Kirsty Smallman