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WW2 shell found by detectorist is detonated

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
BBC News, Essex
HM Coastguard Canvey Island The exploded naval artillery shell on mudflats near Canvey Point. It is shaped like a torpedo and is covered in mud. There is shallow water rippling around it. To the left of the shell is a shovel that is also covered in mud.HM Coastguard Canvey Island
A metal detectorist found the unexploded device on mudflats near Canvey Point on Saturday

A German naval artillery shell dating back to World War Two was detonated after being discovered by a metal detectorist.

HM Coastguard said the man found it on mud flats about one mile off Canvey Point in Essex on Saturday.

A spokesperson said the incoming tide and heavy fog meant bomb disposal experts could not detonate it until Sunday evening.

"The coastline and waters around Essex are littered with unexploded ordnance, often from World War Two," the coastguard said.

The coastguard said an RNLI lifeboat from Southend-on-Sea helped locate the area of the shell - as reported by the detectorist - on Sunday afternoon.

The Ministry of Defence sent bomb disposal experts from Colchester Barracks and the shell was detonated at about 19:15 BST.

The ordnance measured about 7.5cm (3in).

"The metal detectorist did the right thing, he didn't disturb the item further, made his way to a safe distance and called 999 asking for the coastguard."

HM Coastguard Canvey Island Two people in high-vis jackets of blue, yellow and red are stood next to a crater on mudflats which has been left behind after the detonation. The shallow water is to their right.HM Coastguard Canvey Island
The device - found to be a German World War Two naval artillery shell - was detonated on Sunday

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