Police evacuated a Harrogate street due to a bomb scare yesterday.

People had to leave their homes on Leadhall View, which is a cul-de-sac off Leadhall Road, for about three hours while bomb disposal experts arrived on the scene.

The drama began when John Shackleton, who lives on Leadhall View and runs aid missions to eastern Europe, tried to help a woman at his church.

Mr Shackleton, who used to work in bomb disposal, said the woman told him she had a couple of old shells in her attic.

He added:

Mr Shackleton told a bomb disposal friend about his concerns and within about half an hour police arrived on the scene and began telling people to leave their homes.

He said the two shells appeared to date back to the Second World War, adding:

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police today told the Stray Ferret:

The Stray Ferret has spoken to residents who said they were asked to leave their homes but knew few other details.

Read more:

• Harrogate hero John Shackleton, 85, chops logs to fund 50th aid mission


• Yorkshire Water van gets stuck in the mud on Harrogate's Stray


• Plans revealed to transform Starbeck's Harper's building