A suspected unexploded bomb found in Exmouth has put emergency repair work on hold while bomb disposal teams approach the “mystery canister”.

Eight workers from Eastr Devon District council were on the seafront near the boating lake helping to dismantle an ice cream hut that was in danger of being washed out to sea and becoming a danger to shipping.

When the canister was spotted, Coastguard officers were called and they decided to enforce a 30-metre exclusion zone, which mean that work on the hut had to be suspended until Bomb Disposal officers from Plymouth reached the scene.

A short distance away, the Council’s StreetScene staff were also aiming to plug a gap in the seawall, undermined by the rough seas lashing the resort driven by strong winds and high tides.

This work too had to be put on hold whilst Bomb Squad officers were on their way to Exmouth.

The canister found on the beach was spotted by members of the public with military experience who were concerned it might be a pressurised phosphorous or smoke canister.

The latest report says the Bomb Disposal team had arrived and extended the cordon to 60 metres.

Apart from the area cordoned off there was also a general warning – likely to remain in place until next Sunday – for the public to stay clear of the beach and esplanade for their own safety.

This is because of the danger of getting into difficulty and ending up in the rough seas – as several individuals have done around the UK coastline in recent weeks.

Picture courtesy of Exmouth Coastguard.