Workers were forced to evacuate Stewartby Landfill after unearthing two
unexploded Second World War mortar shells.

Waste recycling centre staff made the unexpected discovery at the Green Lane site at around 11.25am on Wednesday.

The site was immediately evacuated, and police set up a 100 metre cordon, as the explosives were found close to a number of gas canisters.

The Ministry of Defence's bomb disposal team was brought in from Essex to make the shells safe.

Joanne Williams' husband was working on the former Stewartby Brickworks site nearby, where owner Hanson is building its new headquarters, when the explosives were found.

She said: "He was working on the new Hanson head offices when the whole
workforce were told to evacuate the area and everyone rushed to safety.

"They were told an unexploded device had been found and they had to clear the site until the military arrived."

The waste recycling centre and surrounding area was reopened at around 1.42pm after the bomb squad declared the explosives safe.