AN EXPLOSIVE device has been discovered by a member of the public in a North Yorkshire town - and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had to be called in to recover it.

It was found in the person's garden at a property in Gordon Avenue in the Bilton area of Harrogate today (September 28).

North Yorkshire Police said they had to evacuated a small number of houses whilst officers awaited the arrival of the MOD to make an assessment on the device.

The MOD then recovered the device and the police cordon has now been lifted.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "We thank the public for their patience and cooperation."