A man arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence following the evacuation of a large part of the city centre has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Bomb squads were called to reports a suspicious package had been found in Piccadilly Gardens on Friday afternoon.

Shops and nearby businesses were evacuated while the cordon was extended to include Market Street tram stop, Piccadilly tram stop and the bus station.

The incident caused long delays for trams and buses which were diverted away from the normally busy area of the city centre.

Police then sectioned off Oldham Library after another device - thought to be linked - was discovered in the men's toilets.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a bladed article and possession of an offensive weapon.

On Saturday afternoon, GMP said the man had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

A police spokesman said: "The 26-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the suspicious package incidents in Piccadilly Gardens and at Oldham Library yesterday, Friday March 3, has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983.

"The investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing."