Roads cordoned off in Duston, police and fire out in force, houses evacuated...and now police confirm the reason why

Police have now confirmed what was behind roads being cordoned off in Duston this afternoon.

As the Chronicle & Echo reported earlier, police cordons were put in place around parts of Main Road towards the roundabout with Berrywood Road and the Kerrfield Estate due to an ongoing incident.

After calls from the Chron, police confirmed what had happened.

A spokesman for the force said: "Roads in Kerrfield Estate, Duston, Northampton were closed and houses evacuated as a precaution, following the discovery of a suspected hand grenade.

"Emergency services were called at around 4.20pm today (Tuesday, June 2) following the discovery by a couple who were clearing out a house.

"A cordon was put in place while emergency services awaited the arrival of the RAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

"On arrival, EOD assessed the device which was found to be a replica hand grenade.

"Members of the public are reminded not to move any suspect device they may find, and to immediately leave the area and call the police," the statement added.