A BEEPING air freshener triggered a full-scale bomb alert in Frodsham.
Bomb disposal specialists were called after a beeping box was found inside a red telephone box next to the Cholmondeley Arms pub, Church Street, by a passer by at about 4.30pm on Sunday.
People were evacuated from nearby premises and the junction between Church Street and Main Street was sealed off as dozens watched the drama unfold.
Cholmondeley Arms landlady Jayne Brookman said: “It distressed the children but not us. My daughter was in the bath so I had to rush her out in her towel. My nephew was scared to death and screaming in the street.”
Following a controlled explosion by Royal Logistics Corps personnel from Dale Barracks, Chester, using a robot, it was reported the package was an air freshener device fixed inside the phone box.
Inspector Phil Hodgson said: “It had become dislodged or fallen off.
“When it finishes emitting the air freshener it beeps so it can be replaced.
“We had to get the experts in which meant the bomb squad. I am sorry for any inconvenience it has caused.”
