RESIDENTS were evacuated from their homes when a man brought what he believed to be an explosive device from WWII into Newbury fire station this afternoon.

Thames Valley Police were called to the fire station on Hawthorn Road at 12.20pm today after a man brought in a metal item into the station.

A corden was put around the station and the neighbouring roads were closed, whilst some residents were evacuated from their homes for safety reasons.

But specialist officers from Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence arrived at the station to investigate the suspicious object, and found that it did not contain any live ammunition.

The metal item, believed to have been a training device, was safely disposed of by officers, and the cordens and road closures have now been lifted.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes are now allowed to go back inside.

Lucy Billen, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said: "A member of the public brought in a metal item into the station that they suspected to be an explosive device possibly from World War II.

"The item is made of metal and is approximately around 30cm in length and currently specialist Thames Valley Police are assessing the item and will deal with it accordingly.

"Specially-trained Thames Valley Police officers and officers from the MoD assessed the item and it was found to be a training device and not live ammunition."