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Emergency services had a surprise when a reported Second World War bomb turned out to be a large rock.

Leatherhead railway station was closed on Wednesday afternoon following reports that a bomb had been found in the car park.

Bull Hill was shut for more than an hour, while trains hurried through the station, as emergency services attended the scene before identifying the item as a natural object.

It is believed the object had been found by builders working in the station car park.

British Transport Police (BTP) said workmen "discovered a large metal object" while carrying out excavation work at the station.

A spokesman added: “A police cordon has been placed around the area to allow emergency services to carry out an investigation.

“BTP officers are in attendance with colleagues from Surrey Police. Army bomb disposal experts have also been alerted."

A South West Trains spokesman said the station was evacuated as a "precautionary measure".

The station reopened just before 3pm.

BTP issued an update shortly afterwards saying: “Shortly before 3pm the object was declared safe by army bomb disposal experts.

“The object is a large rock.”