Homes evacuated as suspected grenade found in shed

Several streets around the shed have been evacuated and motorists told to avoid the area

A suspected grenade has been found in a shed, causing 150 homes to be evacuated.

Police have put up a 328ft (100m) cordon around a property on Gilsland Crescent in Darlington and contacted bomb disposal experts.

The new owner of the property discovered what they suspected was a grenade in a shed and called emergency services, Durham Police said.

The force has asked the residents of 150 homes within the area to leave as it believes the cordon will be in place for some time.

The council have set up the Dolphin Centre as a rest centre for all those affected.

Police have closed several roads around the property and have advised motorists to find alternative routes.

The following road closures are in place:

• Thompson Street East with the junction of Whinfield Road

• Locomotive Street junction with Thompson Street East

• Gisland Crescent Junction with Morpeth Avenue

• Furness Street junction with Ajax Street

Nearby St Bede's Catholic Primary School said it was unaffected but had offered the option of an early pick-up for children with families who might be.