Evacuated Knutsford residents return home after bomb squad leaves

Residents in 110 houses were told to evacuate after "unknown substances" were found at a home

Residents have returned home after being evacuated when "unknown substances" were found in a house.

Army explosive ordnance disposal experts investigated after the find during a police raid on the house in Knutsford, at 07:00 GMT on Monday.

A 330ft (100m) cordon was set up on Longridge and residents in 110 houses were asked to leave. Police said it was "safe" to go home at 17:00.

Five men, aged between 23 and 58, and a 22-year-old woman were arrested.

Cheshire Police said the cordon had been "a precautionary measure" and a reception area had been set up at Knutsford Leisure Centre for displaced residents.

Retired soldier Mike Williamson, 67, left his home after police warnings.

He said: "They said there could be explosives in the house.

"It was a bit of a shock. I live just close by the house."

TV aerial worker David Dodd, 54, who did not leave his home, said: "It was a real shock to have the bomb squad next door to you.

"I heard the police talking and they said it was explosives.

"You don't expect something like this to happen here."

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