The discovery of a suspected explosive device that caused the closure of a North East beach over the weekend was found to have been part of a children's toy, police have confirmed. 

Police were first alerted to the discovery on Redcar Beach on Saturday evening.

Part of the beach on the A1085 was cordoned off as a precaution overnight to await the arrival of the bomb squad. 

When members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit arrived at about lunchtime yesterday (Sunday) they established the "device" was likely to be part of a children's toy.  

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said today: "At 6.40pm on Saturday 24 August police were called to reports of an explosive device found on the coast (A1085).

"A cordon was put in place as a precaution until the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended to the scene.

"Following examination the device is believed to have been part of a children’s toy."

(Image: Kevin Milner)