Bomb squad descend on Oldham after old ammunition shell found in back garden by builders

A bomb squad descended on an Oldham street after an old ammunition shell was found in the back garden of a house being renovated by builders.

Kelverlow Street, and neighbouring streets in Oldham, were evacuated as a precaution at around 2pm today, June 25, after police were called to reports of a ‘bomb’.

Images showed a large emergency service response, including police and firefighters, on the residential street.

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Bomb disposal experts were also called to the scene. The item was later discovered to be an ‘old ammunition shell’, and was safely removed from the scene.

Builders Andrew Burgess and Adam Wilby were renovating a house on Kelverlow Street when they made the discovery. They were digging in the back garden when they unearthed the item buried underneath the ground, they told the M.E.N.

The item was also pictured partially-hidden beneath the soil before it was removed.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Emergency services are currently responding to an ongoing incident on Kelverlow Street in Oldham.

"A cordon is in place while enquiries are ongoing.

"Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) have been tasked to attend the scene and inspect the property.

"As a precaution, several houses in the area have been asked to evacuate while this work continues.

"People are being asked to avoid Kelverlow Street and its surrounding areas."

The cordon has since been lifted, with residents allowed to return to their homes.