A STREET was evacuated yesterday after a suspicious device was found in a house.

The Bomb Disposal Unit from Catterick discovered the suspect package was two 50-year-old batteries.

The 5in by 2in batteries were discovered by workers in a house in Berwick Street, Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.

Gemma Bray, 23, and her baby were evacuated by police during the scare, between about noon and 2pm.

She said: "The police came round and everyone had to get out. No-one was panicking or anything, and eventually the bomb disposal unit came. They put whatever it was in a bucket and, when everyone was safe, they went round with the batteries in a bucket."

Some of the evacuees went to the nearby Seaton Carew Social Club. The batteries used to power valve radios and were disposed of by the police and the fire brigade, who were also called.

A police spokesman said: "The residents who were evacuated have been thanked for their patience."