BOMB disposal experts from the British Army have removed an 'expended shell' found at Barrow shipyard. 

Streets on Barrow Island were evacuated last night after a suspicious item was found in the area of the Central Yard Facility during excavation works. 

A spokesman from BAE Systems said: "Experts from the Army's EOD team have confirmed the object was an expended shell and it has now been safely removed from site and is of no risk to members of the public."

Residents who had been evacuated were later last night told they can return home and the shipyard site was returning to normal operations.

The spokesman added: "We recognise the inconvenience this has caused to local residents, so we'd like to thank them for their patience and cooperation during this time."