M-way closed for bomb detonation

The bomb was detonated safely

Part of the M62 motorway was closed while army experts detonated an unexploded World War II bomb.

The 500lb (227kg) device was found in a field at Balkholme, near Goole in East Yorkshire, by metal detector enthusiast Phil Stead.

The bomb was detonated at 1200 GMT and the M62 had to be closed between junction 37 and junction 38 to ensure public safety. It has since reopened.

An army bomb disposal team has been at the site all week.

The B1230 remains closed between Howden and the turn-off for the village of Eastrington, where there is a memorial to the air crews who carried the bomb.

Mound of debris

More than 60 years ago two Halifax bombers collided in the field, leaving behind the device.

The 500lb bomb was photographed when it was unearthed

Police cars and roadblocks prevented traffic from entering the local area while the detonation took place.

Onlookers witnessed a large plume of smoke, followed by a bang, as the bomb exploded, leaving a mound of debris between 20ft and 30ft (6m-9m) in diameter in the field.

After the detonation, police and army officers carried out road checks and safety checks of the surrounding area, while utility companies made sure that local supplies were unaffected. The M62 was reopened to traffic at 1300 GMT - two hours earlier than expected.

George Wilson, the owner of the land where the bomb was found, said he was glad the operation was over.

He told BBC Look North: "It's caused a bit of inconvenience for people but mainly the people who are commuting, I think."