Bolton Wanderers’ stadium found itself under siege on Tuesday afternoon as police practised their response to a terrorist raid. 

The football ground became the scene of a mock battle between dozens of armed officers from Greater Manchester Police and a small number of "hostiles" who had carried out an attack. 

At least one "body" was played by a volunteer in the hospitality area of the stadium, after which large sections were cordoned off to allow police to go through the exercise from start to finish. 

The mock assailants spread out, hiding in concourses and offices, in what organisers described as “a huge game of hide and seek”. 

The whole task lasted around an hour – and underlined the stadium’s readiness for large-scale events, such as the Pink concert this summer. 

The band, which has had three UK number ones and 21 top 10 hits, will be basing itself in Bolton for a whole week to rehearse ahead of a two-night gig to open the Summer Carnival tour. 

Pink will then play in Sunderland, Birmingham and London before embarking on a full world tour of Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.