POLICE discovered a single round of ammunition when they explored  woodland next to the East Lancs Road earlier this week.

Three officers used digging tools in the area near Abbey Road, located next to the Lady Pilkington Bridge which crosses the East Lancs Road in Windle on Tuesday

Police say they received information that items “linked to criminality” may have been hidden in the area.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the Star the search resulted in a single round of rifle ammunition being found.

It will undergo forensic tests.

He added: “It was a pre-planned search of the area for any items that might be linked to criminality based on some intelligence.”

AN AREA of woodland next to the East Lancs Road was today (Tuesday, November 29) cordoned off as police officers conducted a planned search.

Three officers were using digging tools in the area, located next to the Lady Pilkington Bridge which crosses the East Lancs Road in Windle.

Police say they have received information that items "linked to criminality" may be hidden in the area.

The cordoned area caused no obstruction to anyone wishing to walk across the bridge.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the Star the search was planned.

He added: "It is a pre-planned search of the area for any items that might be linked to criminality based on some intelligence.

"Nothing has been recovered at the moment.”