LONDON: An unexploded 50kg World War II live bomb has been uncovered near UK's national football stadium here, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of people living nearby.

Residents and traders have been evacuated from nearby buildings, and a 400m cordon has been erected in the area, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

A " Britain's Got Talent " studio was also evacuated after the bomb was uncovered by builders near Wembley Stadium in London.

The 50kg device, thought to date from the early 1940s German air raids on London, was found yesterday.

"This bomb is a live munition in a potentially dangerous condition so it's important that people listen to the police and evacuate their homes if asked.

"We will do all we can to minimize the disruption, but ask the public to bear with us. Any bomb, even under a controlled explosion, could cause significant damage to property and there is a genuine risk to life," an army official was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The bomb also threatened the Football League play-off finals, which are due to begin tomorrow at the stadium.

In March a 250kg (550lb) bomb was found in Bermondsey, south-east London. It was safely defused and taken to Kent to be destroyed.