Bomb scares after WW1 device brought to Manchester ‘church coffee morning’ | British News

A “church coffee morning” ended in a bomb scare after a parishioner brought a live explosive device to the event.

It is believed a military history enthusiast brought three grenades – believed to be from the First World War – to St Paul’s Church in Withington. Manchester on Wednesday to show another enthusiast.

Not realizing that one of the grenades still had a fuse attached to it, the device was taken to the local fire station, where they took one look at it and said, “Back away,” Manchester Evening News (MEN) reported.

Greater Manchester Police said they were called just after 11am to reports of a suspicious device on Wilmslow Road.

A 25m barrier was erected and an explosives disposal team was called to the scene.

The device was later destroyed in a “controlled environment,” police said.

The enthusiast, who did not want to be named, told MEN that he received the items from a friend who said he picked them up from the site of the Battle of the Somme in northern France.

Reverend Cate Allison, priest at St Paul’s Withington, said: “On Wednesday, during our coffee morning at the church, a visitor brought in period equipment believed to date from the early to mid 20th century.”

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“When volunteers became aware of these items they acted immediately and ensured they were taken to Withington Fire Station to seek expert advice. Firefighters contacted the bomb disposal unit to ensure the situation was handled safely.”

She said all necessary precautions were taken to protect residents and the church was “grateful for the support of our community and the rapid response of emergency services”.