RESIDENTS have told how they were evacuated from their homes after a suspected bomb was found in their street.

Unemployed David Smith, 50, was arrested after residents of Middlewick House in Hassocks, were evacuated and police carried out a controlled explosion.

He will appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Monday, also accused of possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose, Sussex Police said.

Bomb disposal experts were in the cul-de-sac for more than ten hours and residents were evacuated from their homes before the suspicious device was blown up in a controlled explosion.

Police said they were not treating the incident as terror related.

Both police and army officers sealed off Middlewick House and the surrounding area at about 9.30am on the morning of the incident.

Neighbour Chris Lees who only recently moved into the street told The Argus: "I went out for a run in the morning and when I came back there were swarms of police and the road cordoned off.

"My daughter came home and said it was all over Facebook and that it was a bomb scare.

"I couldn't believe it. I thought it must be a joke."

Sarah Green, also of Belmont Close, added: "Dave has lived there for about three years. We were friends for a while."

Another Belmont Close resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was pretty scary seeing all the police and bomb squad turn up.

"You never expect something like that.

"Then we saw Dave being taken away by the police.

"It was pretty tense while we were waiting for them to do the controlled explosion and waiting to be allowed home."

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Officers attended at 9.30am and found a suspicious device in a property. Those living in the Belmont Close area were evacuated while officers are on scene and a cordon has been put in place for safety reasons.

"The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) were called and carried out a controlled explosion. The area has now been made safe and residents have been able to return."

Chief Inspector Jon Carter said on Sunday: "I would like to thank all those who were evacuated yesterday for their patience while we worked to make the area safe.