Divers search for lost missiles

Divers have been called in to help search for 20 anti-tank missiles that have been washed away in the Bristol Channel.

They had been secured to the sea bed on a wooden pallet, ready to be destroyed by the government's munitions company, Qinetiq.

A round-the-clock search by sea and air has been continuing since the munitions were discovered missing from the coast near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on Sunday morning.

A Qinetiq spokesman said they were highly unlikely to explode unless tampered with, but could be a hazard to boats.

We have had helicopters in the area and boat searches as well, on a constant searching pattern

Douglas Millard, Qinetiq.

The missiles, with the propulsion system removed, were strapped to the pallet along with anti-tank bar mines to help them explode.

The pallet was staked to the sea bed on Saturday at St Thomas's Head, two miles north of the resort town.

Douglas Millard of Qinetiq said on Wednesday: "The loss was discovered at 0300 GMT on Sunday morning.

"We have now found anything as yet, and there are searches still continuing."

Underwater blast

The standard disposal task involves allowing the tide to come in, and then fitting detonators to the pallet at the next low tide.

The weaponry is blown up when the sea covers it again.

Mr Millard said the pallet could still be afloat with munitions aboard.

An RAF Sea King joined the search

"If it was struck by a boat, that would push the pallet aside or just split it up," he said.

"The materials are pretty safe as it is, but we want to bring them back into shore."

It was not known which way the tide was flowing when the pallet was dragged off, but it was thought most likely to have been carried along with the outgoing tide.

Mr Millard said: "We have had helicopters in the area and boat searches as well, on a constant searching pattern.

"We are being guided by the coastguards about tidal drifts to decide where to search."

Tidal rip

Avon and Somerset Police helicopter joined in the search.

Munitions had never been washed away during disposal before.

"It's something we do fairly frequently," said Mr Millard.

An inquiry into the incident was being considered.

The Bristol Channel is renowned for its strong tides, which can rise by more than 40 feet around Weston-super-Mare.