Residents have been allowed to return to their homes after a bomb scare in Rooksdown.

Disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion of the device just before midnight.

Hampshire Constabulary said officers would remain at the scene this morning to carry out further enquiries. 

A 21-year-old man from Basingstoke has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody. 

Police were called to the scene in Gander Drive, Basingstoke, at 6.59pm on Thursday. 

They were tipped off that a suspicious device had been placed on the street, outside residential homes.

Around 20 homes were evacuated and a 50 metre cordon put in place while officers investigated. 

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: "Officers were called at 6.59pm on Thursday to a report that a suspicious object had been found on the ground in Gander Drive, Basingstoke.

"Officers attended. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team were called to the scene to examine the object.

"As a precaution, a 50m cordon was set up and a number of homes evacuated while this examination took place. The EOD team then carried out a controlled explosion.

"Following a further assessment, it is not thought that the object posed a risk to the public.

"The cordon has now been lifted with residents able to return to their homes. Officers will remain in the area to carry out further enquiries.

"A 21-year-old man from Basingstoke has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently in police custody."