A CONTROLLED explosion has taken place after suspicious item was found opposite The Oratory School.

Specialist police crews descended on the patch of woodland opposite Exlade Street yesterday morning and a cordon remains in place today.

Neighbours reported hearing a booming sound at around 8.30pm last night and seeing police combing the scene with sniffer dogs.

A spokesman for the force confirmed they had undertaken a number of controlled explosions yesterday.

They said: "Officers are currently in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, following a report of suspicious items being located.

"Thames Valley Police attended woodland off Exlade Street yesterday along with Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians. Several controlled explosions took place yesterday to make the items safe.

Reading Chronicle:

"Exlade Street between the Highwayman pub and the slip road to the A4074 is currently closed while a cordon is in place in the area, and is likely to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue.

"This is not being treated as a terrorism related incident."

Paul Burrows, owner of the nearby Highwayman Inn, said: "Lots of police cars arrived and we heard an explosion at about 8.30pm last night but they [police] are still there, it's obviously ordnance.

"25 years ago they found an IRA stash around here but I think it's World War Two stuff this time.

"They could be securing it or double checking."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101.