A HUGE police operation involving specially trained dogs and a helicopter was launched after reports of a gunshot near Hereford's SAS camp.

But West Mercia Police has now said what it thinks the "loud bang" in Credenhill actually was, with Ministry of Defence police also called.

The sound of what was believed to be a gunshot was heard in the Elm Road area of the village, at the back of the barracks, at around 9.30pm on February 13, a spokesperson said.

Stirling Lines is based in the village, which is a British Army garrison and the headquarters of the 22 Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS).

An area search was carried out involving firearms officers, firearms dogs and the National Police Air Service helicopter, but "nothing untoward was found".

The spokesperson said further investigation led officers to believe that the noise was from a firework.