WORKERS had to be evacuated and roads were closed today after a vehicle containing what appeared to be home-made explosives was found.

Police asked staff to leave local premises following a report of what they believed was home-made fireworks shortly after 9am, while bomb disposal experts were drafted in.

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The vehicle, a blue Citroen AX car, was discovered at the vehicle recovery and garage Boarhunt, which also operates as Castle Recovery, based in First Avenue, Southampton.

A 100 metre cordon was put in place which initially meant traffic had to be diverted as it headed in and out of Dock Gate 20 following closure of the bridge as well as niehgbouring roads including First Avenue at its junction with Second Avenue and Millbrook Road.

The Royal Navy bomb disposal team were called to the scene and arrived there this afternoon.

A spokesperson for ABP said all vehicles were being redirected to Dock Gate 10 whilst police carried out the investigation.

Police were given the all-clear at around 3.30pm and the roads were reopened as the cordon was lifted.

The materials were found to be fireworks intended for domestic use that had been tampered with. They were made safe and taken away by the bomb squad for destruction.