SHOCKED residents living opposite a park where a bin exploded in the early hours say it was lucky no-one was killed in the blast.

Neighbours also dispute the official explanation that it was caused by a firework.

The force of the explosion caused part of the metal bin to fly 100 feet through the air and smash into the back of a car parked in a private driveway across the road.

Peter and Ann Whitham, who have lived at the Linwood Road property for 37 years, were shocked to find the rear window of their car had been obliterated by the flying debris.

The couple, who sleep in a front bedroom just yards from where their car was parked, said: "It was lucky no-one was walking past at the time, they would have been killed."

Emergency services were called to the incident around 1am yesterday.

Police, who are investigating the blast, say they believe it was caused by a firework or similar item placed into the bin.

Officers also received reports of teenagers running away from the scene.

One neighbour, Peter Webb, said: "I just opened the window, there was this 'boom' and you could feel the force.

"I thought it was a bomb, I'm thinking is there a second device?

"It was frightening and it was all happening really quickly.

"There was a thick cloud of blue smoke, slowly going up the road."

Another neighbour captured the moment of the explosion on the audio feed of a wildlife camera, which was recording in her back garden.

All that is left of the bin – situated by a public pathway around the edge of Winton Recreation Ground – is a metal pole in the ground.

Mr Whitham said: "There was a complete bin and concrete base here before.

"The front of the litter bin flew through the air and hit the back of our car, it has gone high into the air to do that.

"I saw a blue flash and blue smoke drifting along the road. I think someone may have been testing a homemade bomb, there was no way it was a firework.

"It was the door of the bin that hit the car and we were lucky it didn't hit the front of the house.

"The house actually shook, that is no exaggeration. The whole building vibrated."

Dorset Police, who are continuing to investigate the cause, have confirmed no members of the public were injured.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene.

Mrs Whitham said: "We've heard fireworks over the park that kids have let off in the past, it wasn't a firework.

"There was a strong force.

"It would have killed anybody walking past, it wasn't a little bang, it was an explosion."

Police said they would continue to make inquiries and officers would be be carrying out patrols in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 19:07.