NEWTON Abbot was brought to a standstill this afternoon (Saturday) following the discovery of a suspicious device.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police attended an address in Tudor Road, Newton Abbot around 2pm and whilst there found a device they deemed to be of a suspicious nature.

The address was evacuated and Devon and Cornwall Police then alerted.

Local officers placed a 200 metre cordon in the area.

Devon and Cornwall Police in conjunction with the Met Police remained at the scene and dealing with the device.

As a precaution, if was decided properties within Tudor Road wouldl be evacuated whilst the investigation takes place. However, the incident was downscaled just after 6pm when the device found at the property was deemed 'not viable' and residents were allowed to return to their properties.A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said "A police guard remained at the property while further forensic investigations took place."