MORE than 40 people were evacuated from their homes as police launched a dramatic operation to blow up chemicals and home-made explosives found in a terrace house.

Four controlled explosions were carried out outside a house in Grane Street, Haslingden, today after an eight-hour police operation.

Police made the find after going to the house at 4.30pm last night to execute a warrant.

Police say there is nothing to suggest the incident had links with terrorism and it is believed to involve an "over-enthusiastic chemistry student". A 17-year-old youth was arrested and was expected to be interviewed by police on suspicion of possessing explosives.

A 100-metre exclusion zone was placed around the house, close to the town centre, during the evacuation.

Many residents went to spend the night with friends and relatives, although eight, along with a dog, spent the night inside Haslingden Leisure Centre.

Some residents within the cordon opted to remain in their homes, despite advice to evacuate.

A bomb disposal team carried out the controlled explosions, which could be heard across Haslingden, at 11.50pm, 1.15am, 1.25am and 1.45am.

Around 20 police officers guarded the exclusion zone, while community support officers patrolled nearby streets to reassure concerned residents as sandbags were brought in to the area.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "Police officers went to the house in Grane Street to execute a warrant at 4.30pm.

"Once inside the house they conducted a search where they discovered what they believed to be chemicals and evidence of home-made explosives.

"Advice was sought from the bomb disposal team and around 7pm the 50-metre cordon was put in place.

"After taking further advice this was extended to 100 metres and involved other streets, too.

"Around 40 people were evacuated for their safety. The situation was declared a major incident."

Lancashire Ambulance and Lancashire Fire and Rescue were put on stand-by, while Lancashire County Council's emergency planning team put a well-rehearsed plan into action to look after the evacuees.

A Rossendale Transport double-decker bus took residents to Haslingden Leisure Centre shortly after midnight where they were given food, including pizza, and drinks.

As well as county council and Rossendale Council staff, volunteers from the British Red Cross, WRVS and St John's Ambulance were also drafted in to look after them.

Workers from social services and RSPCA were also on hand, with rooms found for people at the Holden Vale and Sykeside Hotels nearby.

Residents were allowed back to their homes once police deemed the area safe.

A spokesman for the county council said: "It was a police-led operation working under the major incident plan.

We arranged a base for people displaced by what was going on, and food and refreshment was also provided.

"At the request of police we also provided sandbags at the scene."