Bomb squad rush to Northamptonshire village only to find suspect package is a box of CHOCOLATES!

Around 100 villagers were evacuated from their homes last night after bomb disposal experts were called to deal with a suspect package — which turned out to be a box CHOCOLATES.

Residents of Litchborough were ordered out of their homes at around 3.45pm on Thursday after police were alerted by a call from a member of the public who had spotted a suspicious-looking parcel in Northampton Road.

Part of the village was sealed off and people told to stay away from the area until the package was eventually declared safe and locals were allowed back to their homes shortly after 7pm.

Explosive experts used a robot to examine the package before identifying it as a box of chocolates wrapped in brown paper bags which, apparently, was a discarded present.

Some residents turfed out of their homes waited in the local church and were looked after by Jimmy Bowey, who runs JHB Auto Repairs in the village.

Mr Bowey said: "We were told it was some chocolates all wrapped up in a parcel, but you can't be too careful about these things.

"I made a few of the locals tea and coffee while they waited to go back in to their homes — I offered the police and firefighters some, too.

"People were told to stay indoors at first then told to evacuate, i think some went to the church but some of us got together for a natter at a safe distance, or course.

"I think the Bugbrooke Tandoori takeaway was doing a roaring trade, too, sending out food.

"We're a friendly, local garage and if people around here are inconvenienced like that, not being able to go to their homes, then I'm only too happy to help out any way I can."

Police, fire crews and emergency paramedics were all on the scene in Litchborough as the device was dealt with by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

Locals also posted their praise for the way the situation was dealt with. One said: "Thank you to the police, the firemen, the bomb squad and their bomb destroying robot for doing their job well.

"Thank you also to the Old Red Lion pub, Jimmy's garage and the Bugbrooke Tandoori for looking after all those evacuated from the homes or unable to get back to their homes."

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "We received a call from a member of the public at about 3.45pm yesterday (Thursday, July 9) regarding a suspect package.

"As with all such incidents, the emergency services attended along with the EOD.

"Residents were evacuated from their homes and motorists asked to avoid the area. The package was found not to be suspect and residents were able to return to their homes shortly after 7pm."