A POSSIBLE "suspicious package" in a Blackbird Leys garden was in fact a smoking laptop, police have confirmed.

Officers have told people living in Warburg Crescent that they can return to their homes, after firefighters earlier tonight evacuated about 10 houses near the Balfour Road end of the street.

Thames Valley Police duty inspector Andrew O'Hanlon said: "It was a laptop which we believe had an electrical fault and the person who found it appears to have panicked when it started to smoke.

"We have now removed the item and everyone has been returned to their homes."

A man who did not want to be named said the "false alarm" had prompted fire fighters to call in police officers for fear that the object could be dangerous. 

Residents had been asked to leave their homes about 45 minutes ago and were told the item was a possible "suspicious package", the man said.

He added: "It has now all been cleared. Apparently it was a laptop that someone had found and when they tried to switch it on smoke came out, so they threw it in the garden and called the firefighters.

"The police arrived a few minutes ago and they have got it now.

"It was all a false alarm, but you are better safe than sorry."