Published at 11:26, Friday, 08 June 2012

A NAVY bomb disposal unit will investigate an unexploded shell found on the Copeland coast.

The explosive, believed to be a 15- inch naval shell, is being treated as ordnance from the First World War.

The unexploded shell was discovered by a fisherman on the beach near Eskmeals Gun Range, near Ravenglass, on Tuesday.

It is known that 15-inch guns were built in Barrow from the 1890s to 1930s and Eskmeals was then known as Vickers’ gun range and was used for testing the weapons.

After the police were called, Millom Coastguard was dispatched to confirm the unexploded shell sighting.

The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit was then alerted. A spokesman said officers would investigate the site next week, once the tide patterns had altered, allowing for easier access to the beach.

He said the device would probably be detonated safely in a controlled explosion.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk