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Old navy shell detonated in controlled explosion

Lisa Young
BBC News, South West
Royal Navy The old navy shell lying in a hole dug by officers on the beach. It is round, long and rusty. On the sand to the right is the shadow of the person taking the photo. There is an emergency service vehicle also in the background parked on the beach with the sea in front of it. In front of it is a red flag and the truck has high-viz livery and the lettering ROYAL NAVY BOMB DISPOSAL.Royal Navy
The Royal Navy detonated the bomb on Wednesday

A bomb thought to be an old navy shell has been detonated on a beach in north Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it had been called to Bidna Yard shortly after 10:10 BST on Wednesday where officers put a cordon in place and helped a small number of residents evacuate.

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said its bomb disposal team had moved the ordnance to a nearby beach and then carried out a controlled explosion at 16:50.

The area was reopened a short while later, the police confirmed.

Royal Navy The old navy shell lying in a hole dug by officers on the beach. It is round, long and rusty. On the sand to the right is the shadow of the person taking the photo.Royal Navy
The Royal Navy said people who find these kinds of objects should report them to police

The Royal Navy spokesperson said when people came across objects they suspected to be dangerous they should "stop what you're doing, get everyone out of the area and inform the police who will then liaise with the bomb disposal squad".

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