POLICE evacuated 82 homes in Hartlepool this morning after the discovery of a German grenade in a back garden.
Bomb disposal experts were called to Ashgrove Avenue in the town and recovered the weapon, which could date back to the Second World War or earlier.
Residents in Haswell Avenue, Stockton Road and also Ashgrove Avenue were evacuated at 8.30am and stayed with friends and family until being allowed back into their homes at about 11.15am.
Cleveland Police said the device was found in a bin with rubbish when the new owners of the property were tidying up their back garden.
A controlled explosion by Army experts was carried out at nearby Seaton beach. No-one was injured during the operation.
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