HUNDREDS were caught up in a bomb alert drama in Bridge Street last Thursday - just yards from the site of one of the 1993 explosions triggered by the IRA.

Police evacuated shops, pubs and offices and put up a security cordon after a suspect bag was discovered in a bin close to the Rylands Street junction.

Cheshire Constabulary was first alerted after a succession of customers went into the Bright House store and told staff about an 'odd-looking' item in the bin outside.

Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Logistics Corps used a mechanised device to carry out at least two controlled explosions. Police later confirmed the object was a shoulder bag containing plastic bags and personal items.

Phil Winterson, the store manager, said afterwards: "Somebody just came in and said there was something dodgy in the bin.

"It was a young guy, a bit scruffy. He asked us all to go out and have a look with him. It was a black rucksack. You couldn't see what was in it but you don't want to take any chances do you?

"The police came in about three minutes and had a look, then they put a give way sign on top of the bin and asked us to evacuate."

Chris Iddon, aged 19, from Henshall Ave, Latchford, said: "The police just told me to get off Bridge Street. They were telling people to stop work because there was a package in a bin. Then I heard a small explosion."

Cara Bryant, who works at First National Bank, near Bridge Foot, claims staff there were forgotten by police.

She said: "We weren't evacuated. We called the police and they said that we didn't need to be evacuated yet. But that was after the Job Centre had been evacuated.

"They forgot about us basically. The only reason we knew to get out was because we had a look on the street and there was no-one about. So we went up to an officer and he said that we'd better get out."

But Jim Robotham, aged 71, from Penketh, applauded the police's actions, in light of heightened tensions in the Gulf, and said: "You have to support this. This is why I supported the increased security at airports because you can't be too careful."

Insp Adrian Rothwell, of Warrington Police, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious incidents.

He also asked for the public's co-operation when officers are attempting to cordon off and evacuate an area which might be at risk.