A MAN accused of stashing a bomb kit in his kitchen and attic told a court that he was merely fascinated with fireworks.

And an expert witness in firearms and explosives told Burnley Crown Court that, in his opinion, equipment seized by police officers from the Nelson home of 58-year-old Gordon Hudson could not be used to make a bomb.

The court heard police had found ingredients for making a bomb, plus a computer disk containing information on how to do it, when they raided Hudson's home in Townhouse Road.

They discovered explosive powder, copper piping, huge quantities of plastic tape and literature about making explosives, entitled The Big Book of Mischief, on a floppy disk.

Hudson, who now lives in Chatburn Avenue, Burnley, pleaded not guilty to possession of explosive substances on November 21 last year.

He told the court he was a former member of Bury and Keswick Gun Clubs, and the powder was being used to reload spent rounds, a practice common among shooting enthusiasts.

He had dismantled a quantity of rocket fireworks, as he was curious to see how the "stars" came out of them, and had no idea why he had failed to dispose of the remains.

He said: "I used the plastic tape to secure leads to the floor during my karaoke show, because if anyone trips over them I am liable. The copper piping was in the attic when I bought the house and I have never even touched it.

"A programme on television had explained how to make explosives from items that can be found under the typical kitchen sink.

"I didn't believe it was possible and my curiosity was aroused. I have worked on coalfaces and in quarries using explosives, and have always been interested in explosives, but have never made a bomb.

"I have no reason for doing so, nor have I ever intended to."

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said Hudson had kept the items because it was his intention to make an explosive device.

Hudson replied: "I don't know why I kept the contents of the fireworks. I meant to throw them away, but didn't. They were under the kitchen sink, because cupboard space in the house is tight."

Keith Ritchie, a forensic expert in explosives and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, told the court that powder found in a plastic bag in the kitchen cupboard contained nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose, both explosives.

But the ends of a copper pipe would have to be sealed with special glue or resin if it was to be used to make a bomb, none of which had been found in the house, he said.

David Dyson, a registered firearms dealer and expert witness in the field of firearms and explosives, added: "In my opinion this equipment could not have been used to make a bomb.

"There was nothing in these ingredients to suggest a bomb could be made. There was no detonator and the fuses were not of the right type."

(Proceeding)