Homes evacuated as bomb detonated

An unexploded bomb has been detonated in a controlled explosion in Cumbria.

Homes in Barrow were evacuated on Wednesday morning while bomb disposal experts dealt with the device.

It was found on Tuesday in Ormsgill reservoir. It was believed to date from World War II, but it is now thought it came from an army training range.

Leaflets were delivered to around 250 families in the Schneider Road area of Barrow who were asked leave their homes while the explosion was carried out

Mike Head, from Cumbria Police said the two-and-a-half foot bomb was discovered by a member of the public because the water in the reservoir is at a lower level at the moment.

He said people were asked to leave their homes as precaution when bomb disposal experts detonated the weapon.

He said they had chosen that time to minimise the disruption because many people would be at work.

The Ormsgill community centre opened for anyone who did not have anywhere to stay during the morning.