AFTER the events of the night before, an atmosphere of disbelief hung over the Bettws estate in Newport yesterday.

For residents of Nidd Close, where a police raid uncovered a pipe bomb on Thursday evening, there was a sense of unease that a potentially deadly device could be found almost on their own doorstep.

Detective Sergeant Mark Watts told the Argus that although they were awaiting the outcome of forensic tests, the device was a "feasible improvised explosive device".

"Intelligence we have had from the experts confirms that it could have been used," he said.

Police investigations are now focusing on why the device was found at the flat. They have ruled out any terrorist links.

Police carried out a search warrant at the address acting on local intelligence under the Explosives Act on Thursday evening.

For pensioner Sylvia Curtin the drama started when a policeman knocked her door just after 6pm.

"I was just going outside when there was a knock on the door. The policeman told me there was a bomb scare and it was the most frightening experience of my life.

"We were out for hours, and I think by the end people just wanted to get back to their homes.

"But I just could not believe it was happening here in Bettws."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been a bit surreal to be honest. To have a bomb in your own street, and all the police and army here, with everything that is going on in the world, it was hard to believe."

Argus journalist Elise Jenkins and photographer Nick Morrish covered the story.

Elise said: "When we arrived there were flashing lights everywhere.

"People were outside their houses and there was a mixture of fear and excitement.

"People seemed frightened but there was a sense of disbelief that there was a bomb in Bettws - it was the type of thing people would see on the news in London, Birmingham or Manchester - not outside their homes. "People did not seem afraid, there was adrenaline pumping.

"When they took the bomb over to the Bettws school fields a number of people followed in their cars."

Nick said: "When I arrived and started taking photos there was quickly the sense that this was not just a run-of -the-mill story."