Families evacuated over suspect bomb

Homes were evacuated and a major route into the Black Country cordoned off after a suspect package was discovered in a quiet cul-de-sac.

An army bomb disposal team was scrambled to Handsworth Drive in Great Barr after a neighbour stumbled across a box which appeared to contain nails and wires in a driveway.

A controlled explosion was carried out after the discovery on Saturday but police said today no explosives had been found.

The busy Queslett Road was sealed off for three-and-a-half hours from 4pm. Road blocks were put up along a 1.2 mile stretch from the busy Scott Arms junction to Asda on Old Horns Crescent. Thirty people were evacuated from homes in Queslett Road, Tylers Grove, The Crescent and all five properties in Handsworth Drive. They were taken to Asda while the drama unfolded.

Matt Sutton, of Handsworth Drive, discovered the mystery package on a neighbour's driveway.

He said: "I picked it up and looked inside the bag. It was like a home-made box and there were nails in the corner. The side was cut out and there was some kind of device inside the box so I just called the police."

Following extensive forensic tests, officers have now ruled out foul play. Inspector Kevin Malone said: "It was found that the package did not contain any explosive or any other material that may cause harm."

Doris Kemp, aged 79, from The Crescent was one of those to be evacuated. "It was quite frightening really," she said.