A World War II bomb shell has been removed from Stanley Park by Vancouver police.

The mortar shell was discovered by someone with a metal detector near the​ HMCS Discovery naval base on Deadman's Island Thursday afternoon.

A Vancouver police bomb squad closed off the part of the park around the facility, which was built during World War II.

The explosive device was buried in the ground for sometime. (Vancouver Police Department)

Police X-rayed the shell, but could not determine whether it was live or not. It has been removed for further analysis.

Police have now left and reopened the park.

Google Map: HMSC Discovery naval base on Deadman's Island in Stanley Park, Vancouver