FEARS that a group have been walking around a town wielding knives have been quelled by police.

An image shared on social media of three men carrying long objects, originally thought to be knives, caused panic in the town of Nelson this week.

But a CCTV investigation by police led them to the men, where it was established that the three abattoir workers had been walking down Glenfield Road holding their knife sharpeners.

A spokesman said: "We were made aware of an image circulating on social media of what appeared to be three males in the Glenfield Road area of Nelson carrying long knives.

"The good news is we have visited those same males and can confirm that the items they were carrying were in fact knife sharpeners.

"They are unknown to the police and work at a local abattoir.

"I would like to thank the local community for raising what initially seemed like a concerning incident but equally would like to reassure the community that this incident was not as first feared."