POLICE have arrested a man on suspicion of bomb hoax after a package was found in Bolton town centre.

The town centre was cordoned off while bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled exploson at the back of the Job Centre in Blackhorse Street.

The suspicious looking package was by discovered by staff members just before noon today.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Rick Jackson, from Bolton division, said: “This incident has caused significant disruption today but we have to put the safety of the public ahead of inconvenience and disruption.

"However, I would like to thank the people of Bolton for their patience and understanding during this time and apologise for the disruption caused.

“We have conducted the necessary enquiries as quickly as possible and can now confirm the town centre of Bolton is now returned to normality and there is no perceived threat to the community."

Members of the public were asked to take cover as a bomb disposal unit used a robot to carry out what was described as a "successful explosion.

Staff at Bolton Library, the Job Centre and surrounding shops were evacuated.

The bus station were also evacuated with buses instead using Moor Lane as a temporary terminus.

A Police cordon was stretched around Le Mans Crescent, Ashburner Street and onto Queen Street.

Some by standers said they believe the package was found inside a car parked behind the Job Centre building.

Lewis Camps, aged 23, had been in the Job Centre when he was ushered away from the scene.

He said: "I was walking round the back and was told to keep away from the back street because a package or some kind of device was found in a car parked in Queen Street.

"I'm not that worried, otherwise the cordon would be much bigger. It's good that they are playing it safe, just in case."

Another witness said she saw the bomb disposal team in action.

Frances Raftery, from Atherton, said: "I was in the library for my creative writing class when we were told to leave the building and go across the road.

"There is a bomb disposal team in Ashburner Street."

John Scott, aged 76 from Harwood said he heard "a loud bang."

He added: "We heard it but we don't know what it is yet, it came from behind the library and that is where we are parked.

"All we want to do is get home but we can't get to where the car is."