THE bomb disposal team was called out after a ‘device’ was found in a property in Farnworth.

Police were called to reports of the item, which residents believe to be a grenade, in Meads Grove at about 5.50pm.

At the time of the incident, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said there was no threat to the public but measures had been taken as a precaution.

He said: "We have officers there at the moment and we are waiting for the arrival of the bomb disposal team to look at a device that has been found.

"There is no risk to anybody but we are just putting all the measures in place as a precaution.

"We have been going around asking people to stay away from the windows and go back into their properties.” 

The bomb disposal unit attended at just before 8pm to inspect the device.

It was found to not be live and it was taken away from the scene.

The road was closed but has now been reopened.

One Meads Grove resident believed the home was owned by someone who had a lot of war memorabilia.

They claimed a grenade had been accidentally left behind when they moved out and was found by people who had moved in recently.

They said: “We were told to stay inside by the police who came around and said something had been found in one of the houses.

“I saw the bomb disposal van and two men came out to look at the device before they drove off.

“I have lived here a long time and it was shocking to see that.”