Darwen incident: 'Potentially explosive item found in town centre'

Police cordoned off a huge part of Darwen town centre following the discovery of a potentially explosive item.

Emergency services were called to Railway Road at around 2pm this afternoon. It is understood a person donated items to the heritage centre, including a suspected Second World War relic.

A witness said: "They dropped off some things at the heritage centre and when they saw what was inside, they took it outside and called 999."

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Darwen's monthly artisan market, taking place in the market square, had to be abandoned after police closed off a large part of the town centre stretching from The Old Chapel to The Bees Knees.

As crowds gathered at the scene Lancashire Constabulary issued a statement. A spokeswoman said: "We are currently at the scene of an ongoing incident at Market Hall, Darwen.

"Officers are currently at the scene and a cordon is in place. We are asking people to avoid the area for now and we will update you in due course."

One shopper who was forced to cut short his weekly trip to the market said: "It's all very dramatic. Things like this don't happen every day do they?

"I was going to have a look at the vintage market too but I guess that won't be happening now. Maybe they'll reschedule it for next week."

Highways officers from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council were also called to the scene to assist with the road closure. The main road, the A666, is unaffected by the cordon.