Police bomb specialists have carried out a controlled explosion after a suspicious item was found in Kersal Moor, with firearms also being found.

The Greater Manchester Police specialists conducted the explosion after the item was found during a search operation in the area.

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police Salford said: “Specialists have conducted a controlled explosion after a suspicious item was found during an isolated and contained search operation in Kersal Moor.

“It has not yet been confirmed what the item was but EOD carried out an assessment of it and deemed it to be viable.”

They continued: “A number of other items – including firearms – were also recovered and have been taken away for forensic examination.”

This came after some properties in the area were evacuated by the police due to the suspicious item being found.

READ: Bomb squad clears Bolton Police Station over 'suspicious item'

This comes after a bomb squad had to clear a Bolton police station after a suspicious item had been seized from two men.