A man excavating at a house near St Ives had to call the police after unearthing two bomb shells and a mortar round. 

Devon and Cornwall Police were called at around 1 .55pm yesterday (Wednesday, April 6) after the ordnance was found by a man whilst excavation ng an address in Church Road, Lelant, near St Ives.

The device was placed in a nearby field and a 100 meter cordon was put in place, along with local road closures for the public’s safety.

Occupants from a small number of adjoining properties were evacuated as a precaution The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Unit arrived at around 6.20pm and also undertook further searches of the property to ensure the area was clear and safe. No further items were located.

The two found pipe bombs were found to be empty, but the mortar shell was still potentially live, therefore a controlled explosion was conducted on the beach near Lelant at around 7.40pm.

All road closures and cordons were lifted before 8pm.