POLICE are warning people about the use of fireworks after bomb disposal experts had to be called to deal with a small homemade device in Chatham on Sunday afternoon.

Officers moved people from their homes in the area after the object – which was just three inches long – was found in Connaught Road in the Luton area of the town at around 2pm.

The evacuations were later carried out after Army bomb disposal experts arrived on the scene at around 3.30pm and made the object safe.

Several fire engines, including a height vehicle and teams of paramedics, were on standby.

Police are carrying out inquiries to find out who made the device. They are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them on 01634 891055. Alternatively people can call Kent CrimeStoppers free and anonymously on 0-800 555111.

Ch Insp Peter Wedlake said: "This appears to have been a very small crude homemade device which may have contained some firework powder. It seems to be an isolated incident and not linked to anything else at all.

"However, it caused a lot of inconvenience and we are now investigating. We would also like to thank people in the area for their patience and co-operation while the situation was dealt with.

"I would remind everyone that fireworks should be handled safely because the consequences of not doing so could be serious."