RESIDENTS were left stunned when the bomb squad was called to deal with an incident in their street.

Emergency services and a bomb disposal unit were sent to a house in St James Street, Farnworth, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police have revealed little information other than confirming that officers attended an address in St James Street and arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of an offence contrary to the Explosives Substances Act.

He was later bailed until May 26.

A police spokesman added: "The investigation is ongoing and there are no wider concerns for public safety."

Residents first noticed there was something going on when a Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal unit was spotted on the street at around 4.30am and again at 8am.

A Tactical Aid Unit, which is used in crowd control instances, was also reportedly on the scene according to eye witnesses.

The incident was centred around a semi-detached house near the junction with Hardie Avenue.

Police officers, an 'anti-social behaviour CCTV surveillance' van, fire engines and other vehicles remained in the street until the afternoon.

While officers were seen going in and out of the house, two officers in white hazard suits were in the garden.

Wearing respirators, they were running tests on an unknown substance in plastic containers.

St James Street resident Lee Harwood watched the drama unfold from across the road along with neighbours who spoke of their frustration at not receiving any updates from police.

The 46-year-old said: "It is not fair, we don't know what that is going on or if we need to be evacuated or anything.

"It is scary not knowing what is going and I wish they would put our minds at rest.

"They have been here since the morning. At first they told us it was a modified firework and then later it was something to do with chemicals. No one seems to know properly what it is."

Another resident added: "I wouldn't say I'm scared, but when you have young kids who live here it is very worrying."

Officers had left the scene by yesterday and no further updates have been provided.

Area councillor Noel Spencer said a police community impact assessment undertaken on the morning of the incident found no issues had been raised by the community.

It is believed the Counter Terrorism Unit has led the investigation but Cllr Spencer said police had informed him that the arrest had no connection with terrorism.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi said she sympathised with concerned residents and confirmed she would be taking the matter further.

She added: "If the bomb squad, police officers and fire brigade turn up in the early hours of the morning, it is a natural reaction to be concerned and worried.

"The question needs to be asked to find out how serious this situation was.

"I will speak to the police and find out what they are able to tell me, and raise the fact that people are concerned and if there is anything that can be said to alleviate those concerns and reassure residents."