AN EXPLOSIVES team was called to Greenock's Esplanade yesterday following a report of suspected ordnance - but the call turned out to be a false alarm. 

Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team has thanked the member of the public who raised the alert, saying it was "exactly the right thing to do".

The team was alerted to the discovery of potential ordnance in the vicinity of the Esplanade at around 3:45pm on Monday (September 16). 

The team arrived on scene quickly alongside Police Scotland and located the object, but were unable to definitively determine what it was.

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Emergency services then set up a cordon and the object was photographed and sent to Belfast maritime rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC), who passed the images to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams from the Royal Navy.

The coastguard team was called out to the Esplanade on Monday afternoon. (Image: George Munro)

The EOD team attended the scene and shortly after 7pm confirmed the suspect object was in fact not ordnance, and no danger was posed to the public.

At this point the cordon was lifted. 

Commenting on the incident, a spokesperson for Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team said: "While this incident has been a false alarm we would like to thank the member of public who reported this as it was exactly the right thing to do.

"We would also like to thank the wider public for their patience and understanding while the cordon was in place.

"It is not uncommon for suspect items to be washed up along the coast, especially following spells of bad weather.

"If you are venturing for a walk along the coast please take care, stay safe and if in doubt – get us out."

The coastguard team have reminded the public of the steps they should take if they find an item which they believe could be a discarded maritime distress flare or ordnance. 

These include not touching or moving the item, keeping a safe distance at all times and dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard immediately.

Those who do have to make a call are asked to provide as much information as possible including the exact location.