An investigation is underway after a suspected explosive device at a garage closed the A19 for hours.

The device was destroyed in a controlled explosion on Wednesday (April 3) evening after police closed the main road.

Cleveland Police said shortly after 4pm on Wednesday (April 3) that a suspected explosive device had been “taken to a garage” off the A19 and bomb squad officers were on the scene.

EOD officers were pictured working with a robot at the Ron Perry services between the A179 at Sheraton and A689 at Wolviston.

The Northern Echo: A robot was pictured at the scene.A robot was pictured at the scene. (Image: INCIDENTS ON TEESSIDE/FB)

The road was closed in both directions while the device was dealt with and a controlled explosion took place just before 6.15pm. The road reopened a short time later.

Durham Police has since taken charge of the investigation.

A force spokesperson said: “The device was safely disposed of in a controlled explosion on nearby farmland just before 6.15pm yesterday, and the road was reopened.

The Northern Echo: Bomb disposal experts at the scene.Bomb disposal experts at the scene. (Image: INCIDENTS ON TEESSIDE/FB)

“An investigation into the discovery is ongoing.”

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 4 months for just £4, or get 40% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.

Motorists reported major delays in the area with traffic queueing back for miles and congestion on nearby routes as they were told to avoid the A19.