David Prior, 50, of Middleton Road has pleaded not guilty to making an explosive substance following a 'major incident' in Reddish.

He is charged with making explosive substances between 1 January and 1 June this year; specifically 'improvised explosive devices'.

A trial has been set for November this year.

The charge relates to a discovery on 1 June, where police found evidence for the illegal manufacture of explosive substances in a house on Middleton Road.  

Prior was arrested at the scene, and appeared at Manchester Magistrates court on Saturday 3 June. He was found in breach of section four of the 1883 Explosive Substance Act.  

From Thursday 1 June, residents on Middleton Road, Reddish were evacuated whilst police investigated and disposed of the material in a controlled manner. Some householders stayed with family and friends, whilst others were directed to Houldsworth Village, Broadstone Road.

A huge police presence, including a bomb disposal unit, remained on the scene, with the western section of Middleton Road cordoned off entirely.  

Fire and ambulance services were also present, with a convoy of vehicles stretched along the intersection at Lindfield Road and others in place across the area. 

After a lengthy investigation of six days, the police scene closed on 7 June.

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