A Royal Navy bomb disposal squad were called to Beckfoot near Silloth this afternoon after a military shell was found washed up on the beach.

The Maryport Inshore Coastguard Rescue team and police were alerted by a member of the public this morning and the shell – which has not been identified – was cordoned off.

The Royal Navy team, from Faslane, near Glasgow, carried out a controlled explosion at 1.30pm.

The Coastguard team apologised to organisers of the Maryport Family Gala, which they had been due to visit, saying their emergency response duties have to take priority.