Bomb squad rush in Greater Manchester street - primary school on LOCKDOWN

Police officers and firefigthers are also attending the scene.

Policemen have closed off Victoria Avenue in Whitefield and surrounding roads following the alert. 

Whitefield Community Primary School, just off of Victoria Avenue, has been placed on lockdown and pupils are being kept inside for the time being.

A Bury Council spokesman said: "The school was asked by the police to keep everyone on site while they deal with the incident."

Parents are being told to pick their children up from the Lancaster Avenue entrance. 

Residents were asked to turn off their mobile phones, as the devices could interfere with equipment, a local reporter said. 

Many said their wi-fi went down in the area for around two hours. 

And they were also ordered to evacuate their homes as a precaution. 

Tracey Donnelly, 55, told Manchester Evening News: "It is scary. 

"You don't expect it to be on your front doorstep.

"The bomb squad is here, streets have been shut off and people have been evacuated.

"It is understood around six properties in the vicinity of the house where the items were found have been evacuated." 

And a man in his 80s, who was asked as well to leave his house, added: "They asked me if I could get some gear together and get out.

"They didn’t give me any more information, but I didn’t hang around for an explanation." 

A member of the bomb disposal unit was seen outisde a property on Victoria Avenue wearing a padded, protective suit. 

A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers are currently attending Victoria Avenue after receiving a report of suspicious items found in a property.

“Bomb disposal officers have been called to make an assessment.

“A cordon has been put in place, as well as road closures, as a precaution while enquiries are ongoing.”

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(Additional reporting by Alice Scarsi)