We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The grenade was found in the home of a man who passed away recently, the Manchester Evening News reported. Council services were clearing the house when they found the weapon, hidden inside an ice cream tub, covered with soil, a neighbouring resident told the MEN. Police rushed to the scene early on Friday evening and taped off the area.

Shortly before 6pm, the grenade was removed from the property.

Residents had gathered around the area to try and find out what caused the disruption.

As the grenade was removed from the property, people cheered and applauded.

The Gatesgarth Road reopened at around 6.30pm.

When the incident was first reported, the area was taped off by the police.

A cordon was placed on Gatesgarth Road, surrounding multiple residential properties.

Fire engines also arrived on the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service said: “At approximately 4pm on Friday, 29th April, one fire engine from Heywood fire station was called to support colleagues from Greater Manchester Police at an incident on Gatesgarth Road, in Middleton.

"Firefighters remain at the scene at this time.”

After it was removed from the property, the grenade was destroyed in a controlled explosion in a nearby area.

A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 2.45pm on Friday 29 April 2022, we received a report of a grenade at a property on Gatesgarth Road, Middleton.

"A cordon was put in place as a precaution.

"Specialist officers removed the device before carrying out a controlled explosion at a nearby and safe location."

Earlier, when police arrived and taped off the area, the traffic was disrupted and bus routes were being diverted away from the junction between Windermere Road and Bowness Road.

According to the local bus service provider Go North West, bus routes were diverted via Windermere Road and Wood Street due to the incident.

Several police officers guarded the area, with a police car parked at each end of the cordon, MEN reported.

According to the person living next door to the house the grenade was discovered in, it was found in an ice cream tub, covered in soil. The person living in the house had recently passed away and the Council were clearing it out @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/iCqIJRcO8J

������ Diverts#GNW18 Police incident on Windermere Road / Bowness Road Services to divert via Windermere Road and Wood Street

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.