A RECEPTIONIST at an animal tag manufacturer narrowly escaped being blown up by a mail bomb yesterday.

The woman, who works at Ritchey Tagg in Masham, North Yorkshire, had partially opened the package when she realised what was inside.

The bomb failed to detonate and she was able to alert colleagues who called in the police.

The building was evacuated, an Army bomb disposal unit was called in, and the device was disarmed by a controlled explosion.

A police spokesman said yesterday: "Detectives are now examining the device and an investigation team has been formed to work on this potentially dangerous incident.

"There are no indications yet as to who may have sent the package, nor why this business should have been a target.

"However, this disturbing incident highlights the need for individuals and businesses to be especially vigilant with packets and parcels at Christmas - especially unexpected ones or any that carry no indication as to their origin.

"Anyone who has any concerns is advised to leave the package alone and call the police immediately."

The company declined to comment on the incident yesterday, referring all inquiries to the police.

However, local speculation was that animal rights activists may be behind the attack.

Parish councillor Flo Grainger said: "It's shocking that something like this could happen here, in a quite little market town in North Yorkshire.

"Of course, there's nothing to prove animal rights groups are behind the bomb but it's still worrying. People have a right to live their lives without being blown up."

In 1994, anti-vivisectionists were blamed for a series of fire-bomb attacks in North Yorkshire.

Seven shops in Harrogate and York were all damaged when incendiary devices went off within hours of each other on the same September night. No one has ever been charged.

Ritcheys makes livestock tags, used by farmers to identify their animals.