HORSES had to be diverted at a racecourse after a duck was found nesting in one of the jumps, in May 2013.

The discovery at Sedgefield Racecourse, in County Durham, meant organisers had to bypass fence six to protect the nesting mallard and her six new ducklings.

Despite the diversion, the final fixture of the season got off to a flying start, with the aptly named jockey Samantha Drake among those taking to the saddle.

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Unfortunately, the duck did not prove a lucky omen for Drake, who finished outside the top three in the handicap hurdle class five race.

A bridge connecting more than 100 people in a rural community to the outside world was closed to vehicles after damage was caused by Saturday's downpours – months after repair work was completed to protect it from future flooding.

One side of Thornhope Beck Bridge, near Wolsingham, County Durham, was swept away by fast-flowing, debris-laden water caused by a torrential downpour on May 12, 2013.

The bridge was passable on foot, but vehicles were unable to cross.

And the only route linking homes, caravan park and Tunstall Reservoir with the outside world was across fields, a ford and dirt tracks suitable only for 4x4s.

One resident said: "There was a hole in the bridge, it got a bit bigger and then there was this enormous crashing noise and part of the bridge simply disappeared."

A beach cleaner told of the moment he realised he had unknowingly kicked a live grenade across the sand.

Once he realised what he thought was a stone was actually a Second World War grenade, John O'Neill, 53, raised the alarm at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, on May 14, 2013.

Army bomb disposal experts from Catterick, North Yorkshire, blew the explosive up shortly after.

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The area was cordoned off when Mr O'Neill discovered the device, which was missing its safety clip.

Mr O'Neill said: "I released I could have lost my leg. It was really rusted onto the rock but it still had that distinctive grenade pattern."

Bomb disposal experts took the grenade 100 metres closer to the sea, close to the low tide line, partially buried it and carried out a controlled explosion.