Part of Sale was sealed off and properties evacuated as bomb squad officers investigated a suspect device this afternoon.
Drama unfolded as soldiers from the Royal Logistics Corp were called to Sale Masonic Hall following a report of bones found in the Tatton Road building.
Greater Manchester Police say officers found a suspected grenade and the bomb squad were immediately called.
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A GMP spokesperson said: 51 m "We were called at 11.30am today (5 October 2021) to a report of bones found at a premises on Tatton Road in Sale.
"Officers attended and later found a suspected grenade in the same premises. A cordon has been put in place and the EOD attended.
"The bones have been recovered and will be forensically examined to establish what they are. Road closures were put in place as a precaution.
The 100 metre cordon was put in place and buildings including the nearby Slug and Lettuce and The Railway pub were evacuated.
One resident said she had been unable to return home after finishing a 10-hour shift in a warehouse.
"The police just said they found something and they needed to have an expert look," she said.
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The cordon was removed at about 5.20pm and the bomb squad departed the scene and the area was later deemed safe by police.
An application to demolish the masonic hall and replace it with affordable housing was turned down by Trafford Council in June.
