A bomb disposal team was called after improvised bird scarer devices, made from wire and shotgun cartridges, were found in the grounds of a mansion.

Police arrived at Amsbury Road, Hunton , at 10am this morning after a "quantity of potentially live firearms ammunition" had been discovered.

However, police have now confirmed that the devices found were not dangerous. The Army also reported that hand grenades were found, but there was no threat to the public.

Neighbours were told this morning about an "incident" in Amsbury House, a large mansion with its own swimming pool.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "A number of objects were found attached by wires to what appeared to be shotgun cartridges.

"On inspection by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team it is believed the items had been used as improvised bird scarer devices and had possibly been left in place by a previous tenant a number of years ago.

"They were not deemed to be dangerous but have been taken away by EOD to be destroyed. No offences have been committed."

An Army spokesperson said: “We can confirm that an EOD Regiment RLC team where called to a property in Amsbury Road, Coxheath in Maidstone at the request of Kent Police.

"Aldershot Troop attended the scene, they identified a number of hand grenades, which were broken down and returned to the base for safe disposal. At no point in time was there a threat posed to members of the public.”

Ron and Christine Cooper of Amsbury Road, spoke of how the day had unfolded, saying that three police cars had arrived at about 10am and officers had quickly sealed off the road.

Mrs Cooper said: "They knocked on our door and said there was an 'incident' in Amsbury House and would we please stay indoors today.

"If we wanted to leave, they would escort us."

Half an hour later the Army bomb squad arrived.

The Coopers live about 60 metres from Amsbury House.

Mr Cooper said that for the past three years the property had been let to an Asian family, a husband and wife and three children.

Mrs Cooper said: "The lady was very friendly and always waved and said hello, but the husband never spoke and was usually accompanied by two large ferocious dogs."

'We've lived here 21 years and this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened...'

The family are believed to have recently left the rented home.

Mrs Cooper said that police and soldiers had been on the scene all day.

She said: "They've been unloading all sorts of equipment, even those robot devices like you see in the films.

She said: "We felt like we were living at 10 Downing Street, we've had two officers standing at the end of our path all day.

"We've lived here 21 years and this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened."

Mr Cooper said he was not concerned for their own safety. He said: "If there was any danger I am sure the police would have evacuated us."

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