Police and bomb disposal experts were scrambled after magnet fishers hooked a LIVE old grenade from the waters of a canal.
Emergency services set up a cordon surrounding the area as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers were called to the scene near Eccles in Salford.
Footpaths along the Bridgewater Canal were also sealed off, with a cordon in place around Chichester Lane on the Bridgewater Village estate.
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The grenade - a relic later confirmed by police to have been viable and live - was found by magnet fishers at around 12.30pm on Friday in the Bridgewater Canal.
According to witnesses, residents living nearby on the estate were told to remain indoors as bomb disposal teams attended.
Greater Manchester Police said the grenade was taken away for a planned controlled explosion.
A force spokesman told the Manchester Evening News of the grenade: "EOD have attended and confirmed that it was live. They have since packaged the item up safely and intend to complete a controlled explosion away from the area.
"Many thanks to people for being understanding and patient while this matter was being dealt with."
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