A man who allegedly told police he had a bomb in Swindon town centre has been released on bail. 

A 41-year-old from Gloucestershire was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of making a hoax bomb threat and has been held in custody. 

But Wiltshire Police have confirmed that the accused has now been released. 

After the threat was made at roughly 9.30pm, Swindon police closed an area of the town centre, condoning it off to members of the public for hours overnight. 

Officers said they were told by a man in the Parade that he had a bomb. 

Officers cordoned off the area until 2.30am to allow the package to be assessed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and then safely destroyed which revealed that it was not a bomb. 

At around this time, town centre residents described hearing loud bangs on social media. 

One comment read: "I was put in lockdown as my flat is in town centre, police everywhere then these explosions which literally made the flat shake."

Another commenter said: "2 loud bangs in town area, was a post up earlier about people being evacuated from pubs as there was a bomb scare, police were all outside my door.

"My partner had to be escorted to our property this evening! 2 bangs within 25-30 minutes."

Chief Superintendent Phil Staynings released a statement at the time which said: "On August 3 at around 9.30pm we received reports from a man that he had a bomb in The Parade, Swindon.

"A 100-metre cordon was established in the town centre while the man was arrested and the package was assessed and dealt with by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

"A controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution, and the cordon was lifted around 2.30am.

"A 41-year-old man from Southrop, Gloucestershire has been arrested on suspicion of making a hoax bomb threat. They remain in custody at this time.

"Thank you to the local community for your patience and assistance while this incident was resolved.

An anti-fascist protest was held in the same location on Saturday with a group of local people getting together to protest against the rioting that had been taking place elsewhere in the UK. 

But police did not think the bomb threat and this were linked. 

The spokesperson added: "Wiltshire Police recognise this was the same location where a protest was held earlier in the day but do not believe the two incidents to be connected."