Controlled explosion at Hammersmith tube station

[Mark Gobell]

Controlled explosion outside Tube

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6264402.stm

A controlled explosion has been carried out on a suspect device found outside Hammersmith Tube station in west London, police have said.

The station and surrounding roads were closed while emergency services dealt with the scare at about 0900 BST.

The alert comes amid a raised security threat following the failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.

There was an unconfirmed report that the suspect objects had turned out to be three abandoned fire extinguishers,.

"These are the kinds of challenges we face in London every day," said Ch Supt Ali Dizai. "We can't afford to take any chances."

Hammersmith and Barons Court stations, which were closed during the alert, have since reopened.

Tower Hill and East Ham Tube stations have also reopened following an earlier security alert.