Carys Nally

BBC News, West of England

Weston Town Hall has been evacuated as a precaution after items thought to be grenades were handed in

BBC A group of people stood outside of the building, with police car nearby. The building has brown bricks and is near other shops. — Weston Town Hall has been evacuated as a precaution after items thought to be grenades were handed in

Suspected grenades which triggered the evacuation of a town hall have now been taken away by the bomb squad.

Weston-super-Mare Town Hall was evacuated earlier after two suspected grenades were handed in to the police enquiry desk inside for disposal.

The suspected ammunition, which is thought to be historic, was handed in alongside knives, Avon and Somerset Police said.

The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team has now collected the grenades.

Nearby roads were initially closed but have since reopened.

A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said: “Staff are able to return to the town hall which will reopen to the public tomorrow morning.

“Our thanks to Avon and Somerset Police and the EOD team for their prompt responses, and to our own teams and officers for making sure people were evacuated promptly and safely, and providing a respite area for evacuated staff.”

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police added: “The EOD has attended and the suspected grenades have been taken away and officers have come away from the scene.”