More than 40 homes have been evacuated this morning as part of a police investigation into explosives misuse in Cheltenham.

During a planned policing operation a 52-year-old man from Cheltenham has been arrested under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 in the Hester's Way area of the town. In a follow-up search police found items 'requiring further investigation' in a garage in Buttermere Close, Up Hatherley.

An explosives disposal team are at the scene.

Officers have put in place a 100 metre cordon around the scene in Buttermere Close and local residents have been evacuated to a local community centre as a precaution.

A 24-year-old man has also been arrested under the Explosives Substances Act 1883.

Police have said that there is no connection between today's arrests and the gas explosion that destroyed two homes in Cheltenham yesterday.

[Photograph shows cordoned off Windermere Road, courtesy of @KevinTanswell]