BOMB disposal experts were called after a “suspicious” package was found underneath a car at a Poole business estate.

Police, firefighters, paramedics and Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers rushed to Macro at Holyrood Close, off Cabot Lane, where a ‘suspect device’ had been located.

Police were called to Holyrood Close at 9.33am on Thursday.

“Officers attended and a 100m cordon was set up as a precaution,” a spokesman said. “Nearby residents and businesses were evacuated.”

A small controlled explosion was carried out early yesterday afternoon.

No one was injured.

The spokesman thanked the public for their patience while the incident was dealt with.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service sent one crew to the scene after they were called at 10.39am.

Passer-by Tyler Duggan, who was dropping off a truck at the time, told the Daily Echo: “There were a load of firemen in the road and a police car blocking the road.

“They cordoned off the whole back end of the estate.

“The bomb squad came flying past. Loads of people were walking out of the estate.”

Sergeant Richard Honeywell told the Daily Echo at the scene that the device had been located outside a small industrial unit and a few businesses and bungalows had been evacuated.

Dave Hooper, who works locally, said: “We could see a lot of blue lights from the back of the building so we knew there was something going on.

“Then the police came in and told us we needed to leave the premises.

“We were told it could be anything from about 10 minutes to three hours.”

Paramedics were also called to the scene as a precaution.

Some 10 homes at nearby Pergin Crescent were also evacuated.

The road was reopened at around 1.45pm.

The device was not an explosive but an investigation is under way to establish what it was.