A bomb disposal squad was sent out to deal with a suspicious package found in Ross-on-Wye during Prince Charles’ visit last week—only to discover the parcel was full of Christmas presents.

Someone sounded the alarm after a ‘heavy and noisy’ package was found behind the Crown and Sceptre pub.

It was sent from the Netherlands and addressed to someone at William Gilpin Place.

Incidentally, Prince Charles was actually visiting the town to officially launch the Gilpin 2020 Festival.

The festival is named after Rev William Gilpin who visited Ross 250 years ago and documented his trip with the UK’s first ‘tourist guide’ of the cruises up and down the picturesque River Wye.

Town councillor Rob Taylor, speaking at this week’s meeting, said: “During the event there was a parcel delivered there and they asked me to go and have a look at it. It had come from the Netherlands.

“Nobody knew where it was meant to go and it was at the back of the pub.

“I went and talked to the police and they sent a search team in and then bomb team in to check this parcel out which was full of Christmas presents.

“Right beside the Crown and Sceptre there is a little alley called William Gilpin Place.

“But the police and Post Office didn’t know anything about it.

“I thought others might like to know in case they are asked.”