Scare after WW1 'shells' brought to coffee morning

The parish church was the scene of a bomb scare on Wednesday morning

A church coffee morning became the scene of a bomb scare after a visitor brought in explosive devices believed to be from World War One.

Organisers of the community event on Wednesday at St Paul's Church in Withington, Manchester spotted the munitions and immediately called the local fire station for advice.

Police bomb disposal experts were called in and traffic diverted as a 25-meter (82 ft) cordon was put in place around the parish church.

Reverend Cate Allison said the situation was "handled safely" after the devices were taken away and destroyed.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the "suspicious devices" were reported at about 11:10 BST.

The devices, believed to be shells from World War One, were then "destroyed in a controlled environment", she added.

Rev Allison said volunteers at the coffee morning had followed "all necessary precautions".

"We are grateful for the support of our community and the swift response of the emergency services."