9.40 a.m. A warning was telephoned to local TV studios by a man with an Irish accent.
9.58 a.m.Police check validity of call and decide to take warning seriously.
10.10a.m. Shops in Arndale Centre told of bomb warning.
10.20 a.m. Shops and offices told to start evacuation.
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10.40 a.m. Police helicopter clears central Manchester.
11 a.m. Police identify suspect vehicle, a large van parked in Corporation Street.
11.20a.m. Police and army disposal officers examine the vehicle using a robot to carry out a controlled explosion.
However, the bomb goes off as the robot approaches.
11.30 a.m. Evacuation of entire city centre complete.
12.40p.m. A controlled explosion carried out on a suspect device.