THE Punchbowl Recycling Centre near Yeoford was closed from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Monday, June 1, after staff discovered a suspected explosive package.

The package was left in a general waste skip and concerned staff called the police for advice.

A police armed response unit investigated and it was found that the suspicious package contained marine flares.

The centre was later re-opened after the flares were securely stored away at the site.

Bomb disposal experts will be removing the flares.

Devon County Council has since reminded people that flares and fireworks should not be left at recycling centres.

The advice is: "Explosives, flares or fireworks should not be brought to recycling centres as they can lead to serious risks and inconvenience to other site users."