Controlled explosion carried out at Medmerry Beach

The Selsey Coastguard was called to reports of ordnance at the seafront on Tuesday and promptly closed the beach to the public. A search resulted in ‘a load more ordnance’ being discovered, which was then investigated by the bomb disposal team.

The original piece of ordnance was found to be the top of an old Second World War sea mine – which ‘thankfully’ was not complete and was safely removed from the beach, a Coastguard spokesman confirmed.

A controlled explosion was safely carried out for the other items found at around 5.30pm, before the beach was reopened to the public.

The spokesman said: “Ordnance comes in all different shapes and sizes, if you come across anything suspicious or unusual on the beach, please don’t touch it and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Ordnance found on this beach in the past has been found to still be highly explosive, so please do not touch it and call the Coastguard straight away.

“In an emergency out at sea, on the beach or along the coast dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”