South Wales Police have confirmed that yesterday's Cogan evacuation was due to a live incendiary bomb that was found by a local resident.

In an updated statement they said: ''Shortly after 3.30 pm yesterday a report was received that a possible explosive device had been found by a member of the public and was at an address in the Cogan area of Penarth.

''Army bomb disposal units were deployed and the immediate vicinity around the address was evacuated and road closures put in place.

''The item was confirmed as a live incendiary bomb and was removed and destroyed.

''We would like to thank residents and commuters for their patience, cooperation and understanding while the incident was safely resolved.''

Residents were evacuated from their homes for four hours and stayed in Penarth Leisure Centre where they were looked after by staff and management.

Our Editor, Zola Hargreaves, who was evacuated from her home said: ''The staff were fantastic and kept us updated throughout the time we were kept out of our homes.

''The people I live with, and those who were sat around us, were very grateful to the leisure centre who gave us refreshments and really looked after us.''

''It was all a bit dramatic but was resolved quickly and professionally.''

Local commuters told Nub News that it took hours to get home due to road diversions and closures which coincided with unrelated rail issues yesterday evening.

Incendiary bombs, filled with highly combustible chemicals such as magnesium, phosphorus or petroleum jelly (napalm), were dropped in clusters to spread fires. In the later stages of the Second World War, they were employed by the Royal Air Force to create firestorms in places such as Dresden.