A MAN is due in court today in connection with an incident which saw bomb disposal squads raid a Wimborne address.

The 59-year-old from Wimborne has been charged with possession of an explosive substance for unlawful purpose and importing, acquiring, possessing or using a regulated substance without a licence after items were allegedly found at a home in Hayes Close on Tuesday.

Police were called to a concern for welfare at 3.15am. Officers claim unknown chemical substances and suspicious items were found at the address.

Firefighters, police and the Army's bomb disposal team then carried out a search of the property.

A cordon was set up on Hayes Lane at the junction of Wimborne Road. Nearby properties were also temporarily evacuated.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I would like to thank all those residents and members of the public who were affected while the emergency services dealt with this incident.

"I would like to reassure them that the evacuations and road closures were entirely necessary to allow us to respond to this incident and ensure the safety of the public was not compromised.”