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The unexploded World War Two bomb unearthed in Cheylesmore weighs approximately one-tonne, the Telegraph understands.

It is thought to be a ‘Hermann’ device and would have been dropped by the German Luftwaffe with the aim of destroying the munitions factory which stood on the site during the war.

Such is the size of the bomb, that German aircraft would only have been able to carry two at a time.

Sources suggest British Army engineers have now been called in to assist The EOD Regiment - the army’s specialist bomb disposal unit bomb disposal experts.

It is believed there is no immediate danger from the weapon and, contrary to suggestions elsewhere, there has only been one device discovered.

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A controlled explosion is due to take place later today and people have been warned to stay away from the area until at least 3pm.

It is not yet clear if the bomb will be moved to a safer location before it is detonated, as originally planed.

A statement from Coventry Police said: “Cordons remain in place in Paradise Street, Cheylesmore this morning after what’s believed to be a World War II bomb was found on a Coventry construction site.

“Army experts have attended the site to assess the device and a controlled explosion will take place later on today.

“There is currently no disruption reported for local residents.”

Roger Bailey, Conservative city councillor for Cheylesmore, said he hoped the situation was dealt with as quickly as possible.

He said: “The site was a Rolls Royce factory until about 10 or 15 years ago.

“The whole city and its factories were all was turned over to the war effort and that is why this site would have been targeted.

“We made cars, aeroplanes, tanks and weapons. The whole city was a war machine.

“It’s not a surprise really, every so often we find bombs in Coventry. So many were dropped on the city and we obviously haven’t found them all.

“It’s not the first and it won’t be the last. As long as we continue to redevelop old sites, that possibility exists.

“It’s a bit of a nuisance, but this is Coventry and this is what happens.”

He added many residents had been forced to walk miles to their homes as a result of last night’s disruption as road closures hit London Road and Mile Lane during rush hour.

He said: “I got stuck in the traffic last night in Daventry Road when I was trying to get onto London Road.

“Some people were parking their cars in Daventry Road and walking to their homes in Whitley.

“It’s quite exciting in some ways. It’s all people are talking about.

“I hope it’s cleared up as quickly as possible.”