Bomb sweep at housing site begins

Explosive experts are surveying the site for other bombs

Explosive experts began a detailed search on Monday of the site of a new housing estate where three World War II bombs have already been detonated.

Four bombs were uncovered in a field near Brookfields Farm in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire, two weeks ago and there are fears there could be more.

Three of the bombs found on the former WWII airfield were detonated, the fourth was made safe and removed.

The site search is expected to take three weeks.

The area has been earmarked for 8,000 new homes.

Experts from the RAF's Explosives Ordnance division from Wittering are carrying out a detailed sweep of the site using specialist equipment to identify if there are any other devices.

Site co-ordinator Sgt Ken Gough said: "We will be here for the next few weeks, checking if there are further bombs in the area."

The specialist equipment assesses the ground to a depth of six metres and can identify various materials including large metal objects.

Hundreds of homes - together with the immigration detention centre at nearby Oakington - were evacuated amid fears for the safety of residents during the controlled explosions which left massive craters in the ground.