BOMB disposal experts yesterday carried out a controlled explosion on a wartime mortar shell found at a recycling centre.
The alarm was raised at 12.30pm when a workman found the torpedo-shaped mortar, which was between 12 and 18 inches long with a timing device on top, in one of the disposal skips at the Annfield Plain recycling site, which is on the Morrison Busty industrial estate.
He phoned police at Consett and officers went to the scene and, as a precaution, put in place a 150 metre cordon at the site.
A bomb disposal crew based at Catterick was contacted and arrived at the centre about 2.15pm.
When experts examined the device, they realised that it was live and that is would need to be detonated there and then.
A controlled explosion was carried out shortly afterwards and the device, believed to date back to the Second World War, was checked and found to be safe.
Business at the recycling centre is now back to normal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article