ATHERTON went into lockdown yesterday after a bomb scare shut down the CBD.

The National Australia Bank on Main Street had to be evacuated after what was thought to be an explosive device was found shortly before 10am at the banks ATM.

The entire building was evacuated, as were surrounding streets before explosives teams from Cairns arrived. 

The experts later identified the object as being a false alarm, but not before high drama in the Tablelands town. The device was found to be a personal communication and audio device left on the ATM by a customer.