Bomb squad neutralise 'suspicious' item

Part of a busy city centre has been cordoned off by police as a bomb disposal team neutralised a suspicious item with a controlled explosion.

Park Street in Bristol has been closed after a member of the public reported a man leaving a suspicious item in the area at about 08:25 BST on Friday.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 50m (164 ft) cordon is in place, which includes Hill Street, St George's Road and Frogmore Street.

A police spokesperson said: "We have notified the explosive ordnance disposal unit, who will be attending the area to conduct further enquiries."

Henry Yeomans and Josh Squires, who both work at Pizzarova, a restaurant on Park Street, said they came in for their shift at 09:00 BST.

"We were doing our prep shift for a busy Friday," Squires said.

"About half an hour into the shift they shut the street down and said we had to get out, so we evacuated."

"We could see the thing on the street, a white bollard with something strapped to it."

Yeomans added: "The military have just shown up and two of the bomb disposal team are here. Hopefully, we'll be open this evening for service."

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