A BOMB SCARE in Inverness passed without injury after an area was cordoned off for nearly five hours on Saturday.

Twenty five people in flats were evacuated and dozens more prevented from returning home due to the scare.

Inspector Tom Ogilvie said, “We had a call from a member of the public reporting a suspicious object in a phone box on Upper Kessock Street close to the River Ness.

“We are satisfied he was a genuine caller and thank him for his call.”

The call was made at 3pm and a police operation was put into place.

A photograph was taken and relayed to the Bomb Disposal Unit in Edinburgh.

Streets and walkways were cordoned off and patrolled, and the bomb squad were given a police escort to the scene.

The cordoned-off area is home to hundreds of people who were unable to return until after the object was declared safe and forensic evidence had been taken.

The Merkinch Primary School was set up for those evacuated but most chose to stay with friends and relatives.

The device was declared safe at 7.30pm, and people returned to their homes after 8pm.