The devices - described by officers as coffee jar bombs - were found by a workman carrying out renovations on the roof of St Joseph's Parish hall at Bridge Road on Tuesday evening.

A security alert was declared and Army bomb squad officers were tasked to the scene, where they carried out examinations and discovered the items were viable.

"Police believe that while they were viable devices they may have been there for a considerable period of time," said a PSNI statement on Wednesday.

"It is not believed the devices were intended for an attack on the Parish Hall, the nearby church, local community or police officers who on occasions use the hall for meetings to discuss local concerns."

Father Aidan Brankin said he was "shocked" to learn there had been bombs sitting for many years close to a room where meetings are held.

"It was a big shock," the St Joseph's Parish Priest told UTV.

"You think of the workers yesterday morning when they were taking the roof off the front part of the building and they found this - a bucket with devices in it.

"The fear we all had ... thank goodness the area was safe and sound, but that it was a device from many, many years ago, which is good in one way but disturbing too because we've had meetings up in that room these last few years."

Police took the bomb away for further forensic testing as investigations continue.

The PSNI statement added: "Several suspicious items discovered at St Joseph's Parish Hall on Tuesday have been made safe and removed by the PSNI for further examination.

"During the alert, police were in regular contact with the local clergy and elected representatives and although Bridge Road was closed for a time on Tuesday evening, disruption to the community was kept to a minimum."