POLICE carried out a controlled explosion in Parr after a grenade was discovered in a van which had been recovered by officers after they had seized guns.

Yesterday (Tuesday, April 24), specialist officers had carried out a search of a suspected stolen Ford Transit Connect van which had been found abandoned in Breeze Hill, Bootle.

Within the vehicle, two sawn-off shotguns and a rifle were located and made safe.

They were recovered for forensic enquiries to be carried out.

St Helens Star:

One of the guns which police seized yesterday

Officers also recovered the van and were taking it to a site in St Helens today, when a "small grenade" was discovered.

A controlled explosion was carried out today in Parr.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "The van was being recovered to St Helens and we carried out a controlled explosion."