A WORLD War Two German parachute mine had to be detonated off Maenporth Beach yesterday after being discovered lying on the sea floor by divers from Atlantic Scuba.

Falmouth Coastguard were called to the beach on Wednesday where they met up with the bomb disposal diving team from Plymouth who needed help to to find the suspected device and identify it. The Falmouth All Weather Lifeboat was also tasked to assist.

Following some "technical difficulties" with their vessel and with help from of Carl Gilbert from the Maenporth Beach Cafè, the coastguard helped the bomb disposal dive team get up and running.

The lifeboat crew helped the dive team from the seaward side and they eventually located and identified the device as a World War Two, German 'G' Parachute Mine.

As light was fading, it was deemed that a detonation of the mine was too risky and it was decided to regroup at first light and reassess conditions for a controlled detonation during the morning.

A 1,000 meter exclusion zone was immediately put in place around the mine and VHF broadcasts were made warning mariners of the potential dangers.

The teams returned to the beach on Thursday morning with the Falmouth Cliff Rescue Team providing cliff side safety around the "West Bay" area and the lifeboat provided a seaward cordon alongside the bomb disposal dive vessel.

At 10.25am there was a successful detonation and, following clearance from EODU, the cordon was lifted and all services returned to their respective stations.

There were multiple bombs and mines dropped around the Falmouth area during the war, where many have been cleared over the years, several still exist.

The device in question was the 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) Bombenmine or G Mine. Around nine feet in length. This was fitted with a tail made from 'Bakelite' which broke up on impact. It had a photoelectric cell beneath a cover which detonated the bomb if exposed to light to counteract the work of bomb disposal units.

Any 'suspected' ordnance found on the coastline, should be reported by calling 999 and asking for the COASTGUARD. They can make the area safe and coordinate with bomb disposal teams. It's important that it is not touched or moved. Keep a distance and call 999.