Police have taped off a stretch of the Rochdale Canal after a suspected historic artillery shell was found.
A cordon is currently in place on Boarshaw Lane, near the junction with Hereford Way, close to Middleton Cemetery.
It is understood police were called to the scene at around 11.40am on Tuesday.
People living nearby said they have been told by officers to stay inside their homes while enquiries are carried out.
GMP said in a statement: "Police were called shortly after 11.40am this morning to a report that a suspected historic artillery shell had been found in the canal off Boarshaw Crescent, Middleton.
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"A cordon is in place and bomb disposal officers are due to make an assessment of the device."
Police at the scene told the Manchester Evening News images of the item have been sent to the Ministry of Defence.
They added: "A person was using a metal detector near the canal and found what looks like an old piece of piping.
"We have sent images of the item to the Ministry of Defence and are waiting for them to determine what the item is."
