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A live explosive device unwittingly taken into a Devon primary school for 'show and tell' had to be detonated by a military bomb squad, Devon Live can reveal.

The World War Two era shell was believed to be deactivated - but after it had been shown to children aged 9 and 10 it was discovered to be active.

Now the headteacher of Kingsacre Primary School, in Braunton where the incident occurred, has said the school "clearly needs to review our procedures for show-and-tell".

The incident unfolded on January 16 when a family with children at the school brought what they believed to be a shell casing in.

Headteacher Claire Cole said: “A family brought into school medals that their great grandfather had won, along with an empty shell case.

(Image: Royal Navy)

"These had been kept in the family home for decades.

"They were displayed to the class but at no time were they handed around to pupils.

"The next day the artefacts were collected by the grandfather."

Up until now, Mrs Cole said this was all the school knew about the incident.

However, Devon Live was contacted by a concerned parent at the school who wondered why the matter had not been reported.

The parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said the shell had been left in the school overnight until the grandfather of the family realised the device may actually still be live.

(Image: Google)

The parent said: "The grandfather collected it from the school, put it in the boot of his car and drove it to Barnstaple police station.

"He went into the police station and explained what he had in the back of his car. His car was surrounded and the military were called.

"The bomb was consequently taken to Braunton Burrows by the marines, buried and detonated and it was live.

"My concern is that the school have yet to inform all the parents of this massive breach in health and safety and the safeguarding of our children."

Devon Live contacted the police and Royal Navy to confirm the situation.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "On January 17, an item believed to be a WWII shell was bought to Barnstaple police station to be disposed of.

"As per standard policy, the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team collected the item and later destroyed it as a precaution."

Peter Wooldridge, media communications officer for the Royal Navy, said: "A World War Two ordnance had been taken into a school for show and tell.

"It was later taken to Barnstaple police station where it was collected by our EOD team.

"The device was then taken to Braunton Burrows where it was detonated."

Peter offered the following safety advice for anyone who thinks they may be in possession of something similar.

(Image: North Devon News)

He said: "We have to be careful about what is lurking in our cupboards.

"The family in this case did the right thing by passing it over to the police, but really these devices are best left untouched.

"If you think you have something like this, it is best to leave it alone and call 999.

"The police will be best placed to deal with it and can call our EOD team to come and investigate."

Headteacher Mrs Cole said: “It now appears that questions were asked within the family about whether the empty shell case was totally safe and, as a precautionary measure, the grandfather took it to the police station.

"I had no knowledge of this until now but clearly we will need to review our procedures for show and tell and what is brought into school."