A MAN set off a home-made explosive in Bolton town centre after stuffing a ball-cock full of explosives, a court heard.

Stephen Davies took gunpowder from fireworks to make the crude device which injured a passer-by.

As he walked along St George's Street in Bolton town centre, he threw his bomb near to pedestrian Clifford Unsworth, of Charles Court.

The device exploded and, despite suffering a six inch cut to his leg, Mr Unsworth and another man wrestled Davies to the ground.

A part of the town centre had to be cordoned off as detectives launched an investigation into the incident in March this year. Homes and businesses were evacuated.

When police searched Davies's home, they found more explosives, other small bombs, including a device inside a tube of mints, as well as machetes, knives and shotgun pellets.

Davies, aged 46, of Breightmet Drive, Breightmet, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence for possessing explosives. He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that Davies liked making things and emptied the contents of fireworks into the ball-cock. He made another fake one to play a practical joke on his brother.

He had made the proper explosive device because he intended to set it off on the moors surrounding Bolton. The court heard that while on remand at Forest Bank prison, attempts had been made on Davies's life and he had been subjected to persistent bullying.

Judge Ian Hamilton remanded Davies in custody until December 6 when he indicated he would pass a community rehabilitation order.

But he said he would not release him until he could be sure all the support services were in place.