Manchester attack: Police, army and bomb squads called to false alarm in Hulme

Police cordon lifted after alert near special needs school

Soldiers, police and bomb disposal squads have been deployed in Manchester after an apparent false alarm.

Greater Manchester Police said the alert was raised over a "possible suspicious package", causing the surrounding area to be closed to traffic.

A spokesperson initially said the incident was at a college in Trafford, but later confirmed it was in Linby Street in Hulme.

“Officers are in attendance and we are currently assessing the situation," a spokesperson said, adding that the army "are on their way".

A police cordon was expanded around Castlefield Campus as the operation continued, and was lifted when no suspicious items were found.

The school caters for teenagers in years 10 and 11 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

After the operation was stood down, a spokesperson for GMP said: "This incident has now been deemed safe and the cordon has been removed."

The alert came as the UK prepared to mark a minute's silence for the victims of the Manchester attack.

Security has been increased in the city and across the UK since at least 22 people were killed at Manchester Arena on Monday.

Suspected Isis supporter Salman Abedi detonated his suicide bomb as thousands of young fans streamed out of an Ariana Concert, killing children as young as eight.

At least eight people have been arrested in the ongoing investigation into the attack and a suspected wider terror network surrounding the bomber.

Theresa May has said the UK's threat level will remain at its highest - critical - for the forseeable future.

Thousands of soldiers have been deployed to guard sensitive sites to free up police officers as part of Operation Temperer.