Queen's visit hit by bomb scare

ARMY bomb-disposal experts blew up a car they feared contained explosives while the Queen attended a nearby church in Edinburgh yesterday.

Fears were raised during an inspection of city streets linked to the Queen's week-long visit to Scotland. Three controlled explosions were used to make sure the vehicle, parked in George Street, was safe.

A Lothian and Borders police spokeswoman would not say why the car had caused concern in the first place.

While the bomb disposal experts were cordoning off the New Town area, the Queen was at morning service in Canongate Kirk, a mile away.

A final physical examination proved there were no bombs: "It took quite a while because it was a long procedure," she said.

Security was tight partly because the Queen is today due to travel close to where the car was parked.

The vehicle's mangled wreckage was to be taken away by police. The spokeswoman added: "The driver of the vehicle will be told."