A SUSPECTED unexploded Second World War bomb (UXB) saw part of the coast in Watchet cordoned off by emergency services on Monday morning (October 14).

Watchet Coastguards were initially alerted when the suspicious item was found on the shoreline near East Quay.

A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was in Watchet this week after the discovery of a suspected unexploded bomb. PHOTO: Watchet Coastguard.
A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was in Watchet this week after the discovery of a suspected unexploded bomb. PHOTO: Watchet Coastguard. ( )

Photographs of the object were taken and sent to the Military Joint Operations Centre for Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

A review of the photographs then saw the Royal Navy despatch a specialist team which tackles maritime UXB incidents.

The Navy engineers deemed the item as ‘unknown and suspicious’ and decided to remove it for destruction elsewhere rather than blowing it up in situ due to an incoming tide covering the sand which would have been the detonation point and leaving limited shoreline in which to work.

A Coastguard spokesman said anybody visiting West Somerset’s shorelines should always take care and if a suspicious item was found they shouldcall 999 and ask for the Coastguard.