Suspicious object forces beach evacuation

Police and Coastguard officers evacuated people from a busy beach following the discovery of a 'suspicious object'.

Hundreds of people were told to leave Formnby beach on Merseyside at Saturday lunchtime as the emergency services rushed to the scene.

The army's bomb disposal unit was dispatched and later detonated the item later before the area was deemed safe for people to return.

A spokeswoman for the Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard was informed about a suspicious object found on Formby Beach by a member of the public.

"The area was cordoned off by Southport and Crosby Coastguard Rescue Teams, Formby lifeguards, Merseyside Police and Formby beach rangers.

"The item was safely detonated by the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal team yesterday afternoon."