Replica grenade scare

A REPLICA grenade found in a charity shop caused a bomb scare.

Police responded to reports that a suspicious item had been found at a Barnardo's shop at Ashton Retail Park at 11am yesterday.

Emergency services and bomb disposal officers attended and a number of shops were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Bomb disposal officers established it was not a genuine device and it was taken away from the scene.

Staff were unpacking bags donated by the public when they came across the device in a black bin bag filled with clothes and other items.

They said the dark green 'grenade' was extremely heavy and realistic, possibly a training device, and they immediately placed it outside the back door before calling police who told them to evacuate the building.

Inspector Paul Smith of GMP's Tameside Borough, said: "Thank you to everyone in the area for their patience and understanding as we responded to the report."