Police called in Army bomb disposal experts and evacuated a Birmingham tower block after suspicious items were discovered.

A police cordon was placed around Wilmcote Tower Block, in Highgate Street, Highgate, between Birmingham Central Mosque and PC World, on Friday morning.

West Midlands Police moved quickly to dispell rumours on Twitter by tweeting: "Some rumours circulating on Twitter nearby mosque is involved. These rumours are not true, the mosque is not involved in the incident."

A police spokeswoman added: "We are working with bomb disposal experts after suspicious items were discovered inside the tower block.

"Residents have been evacuated from the block as a precautionary measure."

The police cordon was lifted and residents were allowed back into the tower at 1.30pm.