A MAN has been arrested in connection with a suspect package which sparked an alert after it was found in a betting shop yesterday.

Parts of Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, were cordoned off when the package was found at the premises of Coral Racing, on Front Street, at 2.30pm.

Army bomb disposal experts from the Royal Logistics Corps at Catterick, North Yorkshire, were summoned and a team carried out a controlled explosion to safely detonate the package, at around 6pm.

The roads were re-opened following the detonation, although the betting shop remained closed and cordoned off today as on going police inquiries took place.

Police said a 20-year-old local man was arrested in connection with the incident and was in custody, at Consett Police Station today.

Inspector Amanda Cathrine, of the Stanley neighbourhood police team, thanked local people for their "co-operation and understanding" as the incident was being initially assessed, with roads in the vicinity closed as officers worked to try to resolve the situation.

"I must stress that this was not a bomb, it was a suspect package which was destroyed at no risk to anyone in the vicinity.

"There is nothing to suggest that this incident was linked to any extremist organisation.

"However, if local people have any continuing concerns about the incident, I would encourage them to contact their local neighbourhood officers."

Anyone with information can contact their neighbourhood police team by ringing Durham Police inquiry line, on 0345-60 60 365 or via the force's Facebook page.