A CLEAN-UP operation took place after rubbish was emptied out of the back of a bin wagon into one of the town centre streets.

Firefighters attended the incident, just behind the Theatre Royal, this morning (Friday, June 10) to check the vehicle.

The road was closed temporarily but has now reopened.

A spokesman for St Helens Council said: "We can confirm that a vehicle fault was responsible for this incident in Parade Street in the town centre.

"The suspension air bag was faulty and 'went with a bang'. The fire service requested that the van's ramp be released so they could ensure that nothing else, such as a gas cannister, had caused the bang.

"No one was injured in the incident.

"Waste was removed from the vehicle and taken away as part of the investigation process."