THE Royal Navy’s bomb disposal unit had to carry out a controlled explosion after a number of potentially explosive items were discovered on a Cumbrian beach.

A team from Whitehaven Coastguard was dispatched to Drigg and Seascale following the discovery of what was believed to be a bomb on Tuesday.

A coastguard spokesman said: “We met with the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit and after showing them to the area, we maintained a safety cordon for the public while they got to work. Our thanks again to the public who located and reported these.”

A number of items were found with two “high explosive projectiles” requiring detonation. One controlled explosion was conducted at just after 5pm.

A day earlier the team was called to the same beach after another potential explosive was discovered early in the afternoon. A safety cordon was put in place until dark and ordnance could be dealt with.

“Sadly a fresh dead porpoise was also located during our investigations and the local authorities will be contacted to arrange disposal of this,” the spokesman added.

The team were back in action on Tuesday shortly before 10pm when they received reports of a boat on fire in the Saltom Bay area.

The team spokesman said: “Initial thoughts from our team was that this potentially was the lone street lamp at Quarry Cottages which had been sighted.

“We redeployed to Quarry Cottages to commence a search from there to St Bees Lighthouse. At the same time our command centre requested the support of St Bees RNLI to launch and assist with a shoreline search.

“Following the search by all assets and deployment of flares to illuminate the area, nothing was found and all assets were stood down. False alarm with good intent.

“Our thanks to St Bees RNLI for their assistance and to CGOC Belfast Coastguard for their coordination.”