Shells found on building site

Building ground to a halt at Cannon Hygienes new site on Morecambes White Lund Industrial Estate as a bomb disposal squad was called twice in one day to inspect and destroy the mortar shells.

A plant operator found the first shell next to a gas pipe last Thursday night. It was removed by bomb explosion experts the following morning.

The mortar shell was loaded into a bomb squad van before a convoy of police, fire and paramedics transported it to Potts Corner, Middleton Sands, where it was detonated.

Staff Sergeant Gary ODonnell, of the Royal Logistics Corps, Chester, said it was a six-inch artillery shell, which appeared to be packed with high explosives.

"The bomb was found in shallow ground, which indicates it has been left from the old munitions factory," he said.

"There is only a small chance of there being any more here."

But a second device was found later on Friday and the bomb team was called in again to destroy the shell in another controlled blast at the same point.

Leading fire fighter Ian Dodd, of Lancasters Red Watch, said the second shell had been found after passing through a crushing machine used to reduce concrete to rubble.

"It hadnt marked it, there was not a scratch on it," he said.

A Cannon Hygiene spokesman told the Citizen: The Ministry of Defence has told us it is unlikely any other mortar shells will be found, as it is the first time two have been found on the same site, so we hope there will be no further delays to construction. The area was not evacuated because police believed the site cordon was ample and there was no immediate danger.

Inspector David Hayes said: The bombs had to be moved because the area was not suitable for explosion because they were both near a high-pressured gas main, but there was no fuse, making them safe to move. Contractor Eric Wright Construction was praised by the police and by the bomb experts for the professional way it dealt with the incidents.