A MAN arrested in connection with yesterday's bomb alert in Newport was today sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The 27-year-old was arrested under Section 51 of the Criminal Law Act, which relates to bomb hoaxes, after the incident in the car park of DIY store Wickes, Barrack Hill.

Gwent Police confirmed he would be referred to health professionals and would not face court action.

The incident saw the area around Malpas Road brought to a standstill and nearby shops and homes evacuated for hours.

Bomb disposal experts were called in around 11.30am after a suspicious package was found lodged under a fire door of the hardware store near the Harlequin roundabout.

Dozens of police vans, ambulances and two fire engines swarmed the area and Barrack Hill, Evans Street and the bottom of Malpas Road were cordoned off.

Staff at Wickes and Aldi were led to safety as a precaution as bomb squad members blew up the package in a controlled explosion using a robot.

After analysis it was confirmed the package did not contain explosives.