HOMES were evacuated after arsonists threw a petrol bomb and a dummy hand grenade into a village pub.

The Bay Horse at Worsthorne remained closed last night as police protected the crime scene.

The only sign of damage was a hole in one of the front windows of the pub.

That was the sight that greeted licensee Janis Chisnall when she arrived at the pub yesterday.

Once inside she saw a hand grenade beneath a pool table.

A rear window was also broken where three milk bottles containing accelerants had been thrown into the building.

None had ignited fully and little damage was caused.

Mrs Chisnall, who lives in a large house on the outskirts of the village, called the police.

Det Sgt Peter Simm said today: "Officers saw Mrs Chisnall last night and she has absolutely no idea what it is all about.

"She has had no threats at all and we are keeping an open mind about the reason for the incident.

"It is certainly not linked to the recent troubles that took place in Burnley."

Mr Simm added: "Officers attended and evacuated houses in the close vicinity which caused members of the public some disruption.

"This was necessary because we were faced with a scenario involving a potential hand grenade. Bomb disposal officers arrived and it transpired that the hand grenade was inert."

The neighbours were allowed to return home after about two hours.

DS Simm said various items including the milk bottle and contents were now the subject of forensic examination.

He added: "We are treating it as someone obviously intending to either frighten someone or intent on causing a large amount of damage."

One neighbour commented: "There has not been much trouble here before only a few minor things.

"But a couple of weekends ago someone stole the burglar alarm from the front wall. They must have had a ladder to reach it."

Mrs Chisnall, who has been at the pub as a tenant for the past two years, was not available for comment last night.