ONE woman came across more than she bargained for yesterday when she discovered a live hand grenade while cleaning out the attic.

She hurriedly carried the long-forgotten Second World War trophy - described as live but stable - into the back garden and alerted police.

Drinkers enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon pint in the nearby Hourglass pub, in Hartlepool, were evacuated along with people living in up to 30 homes in the vicinity.

Army bomb disposal experts from Catterick Garrison were called to the house in Eskdale Court and the grenade was taken to a quarry and detonated.

Colin Archbold, of Dundee Road, had been in the pub for about an hour when the drama unfolded at 1pm.

He said: "I was having a nice pint, watching the football, when two policemen came in and asked everyone to leave.

"We asked them what was happening and they said there had been an explosive device found - we later found out it was a grenade. We thought it was a hoax, someone having a laugh."

Customers left the Eaglesfield Road pub - some still carrying their drinks - and joined crowds of residents who gathered to watch the drama from a safe distance.

Hourglass landlord Colin Coombs said: "I was just taking my children home when I saw a lot of police kicking about - at first I didn't think anything of it. I turned back round and everyone was in the street and a friend of mine said the pub had been completely evacuated.

"You don't get this every day. Some of my customers have gone elsewhere but safety is the most important thing."

Residents were given the all clear at about 3pm.

A police spokesman said: "Police attended Eskdale Court as the resident had discovered an explosive device - a grenade - while she was cleaning the premises.

"The police cordoned off the area and along with their partners in the ambulance service and fire brigade conducted an evacuation of the premises nearby."