POLICE were last night continuing a desperate hunt for an unknown quantity of deadly explosives - including thunderflashes and stun grenades - believed to have been stolen by children.

The explosive materials, part of a chache of legally-held equipment used for wargames activities, were stolen from a garage in the Burnside area of east Stanley, County Durham, early on Thursday morning.

Residents first became aware something was amiss when they heard a series of explosions at about 7am

A police spokesman said: "Shortly afterwards, the owner discovered the door of the garage had been forced open and hundreds of stun grenades, paintball grenades, thunderflashes, smoke grenades and maroons, which were kept - perfectly legally - in the garage, had gone missing."

Police mounted a major operation after initial fears that firearms had also been stolen, with large parts of an estate cordoned off for up to two hours.

But when it emerged the only weapons in the garage had been imitation ball-bearing guns, the alert was scaled down.

Later that morning, the vast majority of the items were found in a wooded area a few hundred yards from the house.

But during the afternoon and early evening, police received a number of calls from residents in Stanley reporting loud bangs in the area.

Jillian Winn of Girvan, Stanley, said: "Police blocked off the whole estate for about two hours and a helicopter was flying overhead. I heard about four bangs during the day."

Craig Wattam, of nearby Sheridan Drive, said: "I heard about half a dozen bangs coming from the woods at about 9pm. I thought it was people playing with fireworks."

Police are concerned that some of the flashes are still missing and fear that if they are mishandled they could cause serious harm, especially to the user's hands and fingers.

PC Kevin Robson said: "All the devices have a minimum safe distance and are to be used only for wargames and re-enactments.

"We are very concerned anyone playing with these, especially youngsters, could be seriously injured if they try to set them off. Anyone who comes across what may appear to be a discarded firework should get in touch with the police straight away."

The flashes and maroons are cylindrical and several inches long.

People are asked to call 0845 6060 365 if they come across any items.