Wartime bomb destroyed in controlled explosion

AN unexploded Second World War bomb had to be detonated after it appeared on a Suffolk beach.

Bomb disposal experts were called in to tackle the live device, which was discovered by a member of the public at 2pm yesterday near Southwold.

Coastguards sealed off Covehithe as onlookers kept at a safe distance as the mortar was blown up by specialists from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) around 5pm.

Watch officer Glynn Young, of Yarmouth Coastguard, said: “There was quite a bang.

“The mortar was live so it was dangerous. It was not something you would touch.”

It is believed the Type 81 weapon had emerged from the cliff after erosion.

The beach and surrounding areas were used as practise grounds for troops and the Home Guard during the Second World War and many relics of their efforts are still washed up today.

Mr Glynn said firearms, hand grenades and anti-tank mines have all appeared in the sands over the years.

He said: “These things do turn up fairly frequently and they can be hazardous to the public.

“They need to keep their eyes open when they are walking along the beach.”