Kidnapped man told his car contained a bomb

A man was found in a car today with his hands bound and "canisters" surrounding his body, police said.

West Midlands Police said the man was spotted by a passing lorry driver on a road in an industrial area of Birmingham at about 10.20 this morning.

Police, fire crews, an Army bomb disposal team and trained negotiators are currently at the scene in Saltley.

Chief Superintendent Tom Coughlan said it was unclear whether the man was there of his own accord or if he was a victim of a crime.

He said it was also not clear yet whether he was conscious.

A 500-metre police cordon has been put up around the area and nearby factories have been evacuated.

Chief Superintendent Coughlan said: "Inside the vehicle his hands seem to be bound and his body seems to be surrounded by what is being referred to at the moment as a number of canisters."