Three people have been arrested after explosives, a firearm and a “significant” amount of drugs were found in a van in Manchester.

Armed police stopped the vehicle on Oldham Road in Newton Heath on Wednesday night as part of an investigation into organised crime. A bomb disposal unit was called in to examine the explosives.

A 51-year-old woman and two men aged 51 and 54 were arrested and remained in custody on Thursday for questioning.

The group were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and possession of explosives under the Firearms Act.

A house was searched on Hopgarth Walk in Newton Heath as part of the investigation.

Greater Manchester police (GMP) said: “This incident is not terrorism-related and there is not believed to be a wider risk to the public.”

The road was closed while officers continued to search the vehicle but no homes were evacuated.

Supt Mark Dexter of GMP’s specialist operations team said: “These arrests form part of a wider investigation into the supply of drugs and organised criminality in Manchester and we are incredibly pleased that the operation concluded safely.

“The three suspects are now in custody and will be questioned by police in the coming hours.”