Wartime shell detonated on beach

Joss Bay was cleared of people before the shell was made safe

A World War II anti-aircraft shell has been blown up in a controlled explosion on a beach after it was discovered in the back garden of a house in Kent.

The shell was dug up by a builder working at the property in Albion Road, Broadstairs, on Wednesday morning.

Bomb disposal officers said the shell was highly unstable and could not be safely exploded in a residential area.

The beach at Joss Bay was evacuated, and the shell was taken there in a bomb proof box where it was detonated.

The shell was dealt with by a military Emergency Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team from Folkestone, and detonated just before 1330 BST.

Firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also on hand.

Sgt Julien Lawton, of Thanet Police, said the shell was probably fired at passing enemy planes during World War II, but did not explode and fell to the ground where it had stayed buried.

"Fortunately nobody was injured during its rediscovery and the EOD was able to safely dispose of it," he said.