A LOUD explosion caused by a home-made device alarmed residents in the Gannow Lane area of Burnley last night.

An explosive device was set off in a subway under the Gannow roundabout near to the slip roads to the M65 at junction 10.

Ten calls were made to police and the fire and rescue service just before 10pm.

The emergency services went to the scene and found a metal container described as about the size of a tea caddy.

It had been taped up with a wick through a hole drilled in the lid.

Fire and rescue service sub officer Peter Kelly said: "There was a smell of sulphur when we arrived.

"We don't know whether it was some kind of home-made firework or what.

"The police took it away for investigation." Mr Kelly continued: "No damage was caused but it must have gone off with a loud bang because we got several responses from the public."

Mr Kelly said it was obviously a dangerous thing to do especially letting it off in a subway.

" It could have caused injury to the people involved or anyone passing through the subway" he said.

He warned of the dangers fireworks or other explosive devices.

There were reports of youngsters seen running away from the area at the time of the explosion.

The incident is now under investigation by detectives.