Nostalgia 1996: Bomb scare leads to mini-evacuation in Redding

He found what appeared to be a landmine in woods near Redding. On it was the message: ‘‘Handle with extreme care’’.

But, rather than leave it to the experts, Neil carried it home!

He told The Falkirk Herald: ‘‘Children were playing less than 100 yards away. I had two courses of action, leave it wehere it was and risk someone being blown up or take it with me and contact the police. I chose the second course.’’

Police, fire and army officials were called to Wholequarter Avenue in Redding to deal with the suspicious package.

Residents were evacuated and the area was sealed off as experts examined the green box with a metallic object inside. The ‘‘bomb’’ turned out to be part of a Chieftain tank!