SEVERAL homes were evacuated this afternoon after a suspected wartime explosive was discovered in a garden.

The item was found by a woman who was gardening at her home in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire.

Police were alerted and cordoned off the area around the property in West Chapelton Drive.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Faslane investigated the device at the scene.

However, they were later stood down after testing the item.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: "Several homes were evacuated as a precaution but the explosives team have told us it was a false alarm, with good intent."