A MAN has been charged after dozens of homes were evacuated following a bomb scare in a North-East street.

Wayne Allen, 38, of Lake Avenue, Marsden, South Tyneside, has been charged with a number of assaults and possessing a prohibited weapon - believed to be a homemade 'taser'.

He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, August 30.

Scores of residents were forced to leave their homes in Lake Avenue, South Shields in the early hours of Friday after officers discovered what they said ‘gave the appearance of improvised explosives’, as they searched a property over an unrelated matter.

A controlled explosion was carried out on an item that was found not to be an explosive device.

Following the incident Superintendent Brad Howe said: "While initially it appeared there may have been suspected improvised explosive devices in the premises this has proved not to be the case and devices of this nature were not found.

"Other items were seized which included what is believed to be a homemade taser.”