Cumbria Police has said it will pay for the damage caused to a car, after a blunder saw them blow up a "suspicious package" - despite their own officers parking the vehicle.

Bomb disposal experts were called to a "suspicious" car outside Workington police station yesterday morning.

A controlled explosion was carried out outside Workington Police Station at about 8am after officers became concerned about suspicious objects in a Vauxhall Corsa parked that had been left unattended there.

Police later revealed the car was parked outside the station by officers who had assisted the owner when he was taken ill elsewhere in the town.

The force said an "internal communication error" meant officers dealing with the car this morning were not aware of their colleagues actions.

A spokesman said: "This morning's actions were conducted, and prioritised, with the safety of the public in mind.

"Following the controlled explosion, the vehicle was searched and the suspicions were negated."

As a precaution, the police station was evacuated and a 100m cordon put in place.

The A596, which runs past the station, was also closed.

People living in Hall Park View, outside the cordon, were not informed of the incident.

Inspector Ashley Bennett said: “The constabulary is not complacent regarding incidents of public safety which we take very seriously.

"We would like to thank the public for the patience shown this morning as we dealt with an incident that was treated as suspicious and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We have made contact with the owner of the vehicle, explained the situation and have apologised to him."

“The officers who dealt with this morning’s incident did so with public safety in mind and followed the appropriate procedures in respect to an unoccupied suspicious vehicle.

“The constabulary will review this incident and will take on board any learning.”

A force spokesman confirmed that the suspicious item was in fact a metal water bottle and electrical wires, and said Cumbria Police will pay to repair the damage to the man's vehicle.

He is understood to be recovering in hospital.