ARMY Bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on Hoylake beach.

It is believed "chemicals" were discovered in a house by Police on Stanley Road at around 3.30pm.

The blast was heard throughout the town.

One householder called the Globe to say her windows had rattled and dogs in her street started barking.

"It was really loud. Everyone came out to try to see what was going on.

"You don't expect this kind of thing around here."

A spokesman from Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that an item removed from a house in Hoylake during a search has been safely disposed of on the beach by colleagues from the Army Royal Logistics Corp.

"A cordon was put in place as a precaution whilst a controlled explosion was carried out.

"The search of the house by specialist police and fire officers remains on-going at this time.”