BOMB disposal experts were called to Bacup yesterday after a man found what he thought was an explosive device outside his house.

He found the piece of copper pipe with wires sticking out if it outside his home on a new housing development on the outskirts of the town and took it to Bacup Police Station.

Officers didn't know what the piping was so they called out the bomb disposal team, who confirmed that it wasn't a bomb or incendiary device.

But police still aren't sure what the metal pipe is and said it could just be part of a central heating system.

Inspector Mick Marron said: "Where any suspect package is involved we are concerned for the safety of the public and, as a general rule, we call in the bomb disposal people - this is routine. They looked at this pipe and decided that it wasn't any type of explosive device and we are still making inquiries to find out what it is.

"This man found it outside his home, did not know what it was and, being vigilant, he brought it in to us, and rightly so."

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