A suspicious item found in Darlington yesterday has been destroyed by the bomb squad - with police now looking for a man in connection with the incident. 

Police received reports of a suspicious item located in the Neasham Road area of Darlington at around 3.50pm yesterday (Tuesday, October 24). 

The Northern Echo:

Residents were evacuated from their homes before hearing an 'explosion' at around teatime on Tuesday, and were told by officers on the scene that a bomb squad from Catterick had been called.

Read our live blog of the incident here. 

The surrounding area was cordoned off while Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists examined the item. The item was confirmed not to pose a threat and was safely destroyed. 

A loud bang was heard at the TA Centre on the road at 5.41pm. 

The cordon was lifted by around 6.40pm.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: "Officers investigating the incident are keen to speak to a man wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and a baseball cap seen in the area at the time of the report.

The Northern Echo:

"Anybody who may have seen the man in the area between 3.30pm and 4pm are asked to contact Durham Police on 101, quoting incident number 285 of October 24."

Read next: 

At the time, Neasham Road resident Ken Richmond, said: “They came around and asked us all to evacuate because there had been a parcel that was not meant to be there.

“They called the bomb disposal squad from Catterick and they arrived.

"There was a robot go in then there was a bang a few minutes ago."