Bomb team explodes abandoned car

The bomb disposal robot was used to approach the car

Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosions on a car in Hayling Island they feared might have been connected to the London bombers.

The drama began late on Friday when police realised the car had been abandoned on or around the 7 July.

A 200-metre cordon was put in place around the scene on Manor Road, and the bomb team was called in. It was declared safe at about 2200 BST.

Hampshire Police now say they believe it was a false alarm.

'Propane bottle'

Eyewitness Tom Lincoln said: "The bomb squad turned up and got their little robot out.

"The robot went off down the road to the car, had a poke about for a bit and shot twice at the boot then came back."

A man in full body armour then approached the car, he said.

"He had a look about and then came back for an explosive device of some kind; he put it under the car and returned to the van.

"We waited for a bit and then bang, a bit of something rolled up the road.

"We saw something that looked like a propane bottle in the boot. He closed it all up, took his hat off and that was about it," he added.