WWII bombs are finally detonated

Bomb disposal experts detonated the devices

Two World War II bombs have been detonated five days after they were discovered in a field.

The 1,000lb bombs were exploded by bomb disposal experts at around noon near Brookfield Farm in Rampton Road, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire.

The blast was heard 20 miles away and left a crater 15m wide and 10m deep.

Operation Spiker brought the evacuation of 480 homes and the nearby Oakington Immigration Centre, whose 160 occupants were taken to other secure centres.

The bomb site was surrounded by sand bags containing 260 tonnes of sand, and trenches were dug to lessen the impact of the explosion.

The plume of smoke from the blast was estimated to be 1,000 feet high.

No-one was injured and no property damaged in the explosion, and experts believe the bombs have been successfully destroyed.