A WOMAN has described how bomb disposal teams carried out a controlled explosion of an ‘unattended item’ – which she claimed contained foam.

Explosives experts were called to Asda in Highbridge after an ‘unattended item’ was discovered at the Caxton Road store shortly after 7am on Tuesday (January 9).

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the item posed no harm to the public.

Laura Cooper, who lives opposite the store, said: “There was a heavy police presence and there was a suspected package which was a cardboard box with tape round it.

“I saw it outside the store at 9pm last night. The bomb disposal team arrived and the robot went over and performed a controlled explosion which we watched from the window.

“The bomb disposal team told us the box contained foam in the end.”

Police tweeted and said staff had closed the store ‘as a precaution’ and officers were called to the scene.

The message said: "Please be aware Asda in Highbridge has decided to close as a precautionary measure after the discovery of an unattended item.

"Officers are on the scene assisting them.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding."

A bomb disposal team was called to the store and carried out a controlled explosion just after 10.30am.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said the item was not suspicious and posed no harm to the public.

The spokesman said: "The unattended item at Asda in Highbridge has been inspected and is not suspicious and poses no harm.

"A small controlled explosion was carried out at the store just after 10.30am."

Officers left the scene shortly after 11am and the store reopened afterwards. Police said there have been no arrests in connection with the incident.

The police spokesman said: "We are no longer investigating the incident."

A spokesman for Asda confirmed staff closed the store 'as a precaution' and thanked its customers for their patience.

“Our Highbridge store was closed for a short period due to a police matter," the spokesman said.

"We would like to thank our customers for their patience during this time and the store has since reopened and is trading as normal.”