Tests negative after bomb scare at cathedral

A suspicious looking steel cannister was found behind the chapel that will host Sir Edmund Hillary's funeral later today.

The mottled green cannister was found by the church gardener at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Auckland, on Sunday.

Inspector Derek Davison said the police specialist bomb section was called but the object did not test positive for any traces of explosives.

Mr Davison said there had been no threat attached to the cannister.

He said it looked similar to a rat-bait station and was obviously homemade.

"I have also had an unconfirmed report that one was found somewhere last week by workers on the site," he said.

He said explosives specialists did a sweep of the grounds and buildings at 4.30am today as a precaution and found no suspicious objects.