A shocked pub-goer has explained how a quick trip to the toilet sparked a major bomb scare this evening.

Martin Elsen, 41, was enjoying an after-work pint at The Flag, in Station Road, as he waited for a bus home to Abbots Langley at about 6pm.

Less than an hour later the area was swarming with police officers, sniffer dogs and Army bomb disposal experts.

Neighbouring Watford Junction railway station also had to be closed and evacuated.

Mr Elsen explained: “I had just been to the toilet. I went to wash my hands and saw something on the sink that caught my eye.

"It was a really old style mobile phone – well over ten years old – with a lot of silver coloured, really thick tape around it.

“It was very bizarre. It had some string or cable coming from it that was wrapped around one of the taps. I don’t know if it was stuck on the sink or just resting on it – I didn’t want to touch it to find out.

“Against the phone there was a small book. I can’t remember what it was called but it definitely had a reference to Ireland on it.

“I asked for the manager and the police arrived soon after that.”

The mysterious package, which is now being examined by police, was detonated by a controlled explosion and later confirmed to be a hoax.

Mr Elsen added: “I was a bit shocked – it’s the last thing you expect when you’re having an after work drink.

“I wouldn’t say that I was scared but I was certainly a bit nervous. I just don’t understand why anybody would have left it there. Maybe they thought it was a practical joke.”

Police are investigating.