POLICE responded to an "explosion" last month in a Wellington play area caused by a "homemade bomb" being let off.

It is understood that a youth set fire to a school bag, which had an aerosol canister inside it, which had been left under some play equipment.

A police spokesman said: "Youths have been identified and interviewed under caution in relation to an offence of criminal damage."

The incident took place on June 3 at a play area at the Cades Farm estate.

Shocked Cllr John Thorne, speaking at Wellington Town Council on Monday (July 2), said the incident constituted a "youth detonating a homemade bomb."