ITEMS found in a building that led to a bomb scare were inert shells, it has been confirmed.

Officers sealed off a stretch of Michaelson Road in Barrow on Sunday after test shells were found in a building.

It left residents unable to cross Michaelson Road Bridge as a bomb squad was brought in to deal with the situation.

Now bosses from BAE have confirmed the shells were test shells and posed no danger to anyone.

The cordon put in place by police remained on the bridge and was lifted early yesterday morning.

Reports suggested around 25 World War Two-era shells were found but a BAE spokesman did not confirm any further details apart from saying the number found of the items found was fewer than the figure put forward.

Police had advised members of the public to find alternative routes to and from Barrow Island and to avoid the Michaelson Road area.

Officers could be seen on the scene as police put up a precautionary cordon from Bridge Road to Hindpool Road after a number of pieces of ordnance were found on Sunday morning.

Speaking on Sunday, a Cumbria Police spokesman said: “Officers were called at 10.31am on September 15 after the discovery of what is believed to be military ordnance.

“Officers are working with partner agencies ahead of the arrival of a Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

“The public is asked to avoid this area until the incident is concluded.”

A number of ordnances have been discovered in Barrow over recent months.

Residents in Patrick Street and Ivy Avenue on Barrow Island were evacuated in July and a bomb disposal team was called in after a BAE spokesman confirmed an item been found near the Central Yard Facility.