A DISABLED have-a-go hero who made a "Citizen's Arrest" on a man armed with home-made explosives today admitted: "I thought I was going to die."

Cliff Unsworth, aged 37, was knocked to the floor by the blast which sent shrapnel flying into his thigh.

Mr Unsworth, of Charles Court, Bolton, then jumped to his feet and chased the man, put him in a headlock and pinned him to the floor until police arrived.

The drama sparked an eight-hour bomb alert in Bolton town centre as bomb squad experts carried out a series of explosions on a suspect package and a car.

Roads were sealed off and homes and businesses evacuated with some residents not allowed back into their homes until 8.15pm.

The chain of events began at noon yesterday when a device was thrown in St George's Street -- only yards away from where Mr Unsworth was walking. Mr Unsworth, who has one lung, was on his way to the bus station.

He said: "I was frightened by the blast. It was a big bang and there was a huge orange flash. While I had hold of the man he dropped another bomb but it rolled into the gutter."

A passer-by driving a red car pulled up to help while a shopper called the police. Mr Unsworth said: "I tried everything. I was screaming at people to help me but they all looked shocked and didn't know what was happening. I was frightened."

Shortly after the arrest of the suspect, officers used a bomb disposal robot to carry out a controlled explosion near the same spot but police later said the package turned out not to be suspicious.

Office worker Jade Haslam, aged 23, said: "Nobody knew what was going on. It was all a bit frantic."

Three hours after the first blast, the bomb squad carried out four controlled explosions on a Reliant Robin car parked on Charles Court, only yards away from the first explosion.

The flats were cordoned off and residents were evacuated shortly after 2pm. Julian Heywood, aged 31, of Charles Court, said he was watching TV when police asked him to leave his flat.

"I was worried for my safety. I didn't know what was going to happen next."

Police said they did not believe there was anything suspicious inside the car but the items were destroyed as a safety precaution.

Today, police were still questioning a 46-year-old man in connection with the incident in St George's Street.