Residents had to be evacuated from their homes and the bomb squad called after an unexploded device was found inside a skip.

People living on Hazel Pear Close in Horwich were told to leave their houses by the police and an exclusion zone and cordon set up in the area.

According to sources at the scene, the police were blocking all access to the estate, while the incident was dealt with.

Emergency services were in attendance and the bomb disposal team were called after a suspected World War II grenade was found in a skip at Lostock Skip Hire.

A spokesperson for the police said: "The call came into us at 5pm, and it is believed there has been some kind of unexploded munition found in a skip.

"A large cordon has been set up and there is a large police presence at the scene while emergency services await the arrival of the EOD team.

"Once they arrive they will assess the device and decide the best course of action from there."

It is believed no-one has been injured as a result of the discovery and by 9pm all residents had been allowed back into their homes.

The device will be removed on Friday for a controlled explosion.