Shocking footage shows boys playing football metres away from a 'controlled explosion'

Footage has emerged showing two boys playing football only a few metres away from a 'controlled explosion'.

The video taken on a mobile phone and shared on social media appears to show several police cars in Dundalk Field, Widnes in Cheshire, on Monday, May 20.

At around 7.50pm, the footage captures police counting down before a huge explosion is seen in the fields.

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Shortly before the explosion, two boys can be seen playing a game of football only a few metres away. Currently, it is unclear where the device came from, but some eyewitnesses said they saw roads on Widnes Road closed down at the same time as the incident.

People commenting on the video said they heard the explosion from their homes and were relieved to discover what the source of the loud noise was.

Cheshire Police have been approached for comment by the Liverpool Echo.