A DIGGER was at a house in Cowley yesterday as a bomb disposal unit continued to work at a house contaminated by cannisters.

The Royal Logistic Corps unit was called to Brasenose Driftway on Tuesday after contractors noticed evidence of “soil contamination,” according to Thames Valley Police.

A small number of cannisters were found at the house, but police have not revealed what the mystery substance contaminating them is.

Yesterday morning a digger was in the front garden unearthing land outside the property and a fire and emergency support service van stood parked outside.

Thames Valley Police yesterday said the affected area remained cordoned off in order to allow for “safe assessment and removal of canisters of a substance, which is thought to be the cause of the contamination”.

Officers said the Ministry of Defence would be sending the cannisters off for tests.

Police said there was no risk to the public.