A bomb disposal team was called to Grenham Bay in Birchington today (January 11) after a bait digger discovered a mortar shell.
HM Coastguard Margate were called out this morning following the discovery. On arrival there were no signs of the object and the team returned to base. However, they were called back when another call came in to say the man had the ordnance.
A Coastguard spokesman said: ” On returning he showed us what looked like mortar size and potential fins on the back. Bomb disposal were called and a cordon was put in place to close that part of the beach. Once bomb disposal arrived they managed to establish that it was from a mortar shell but was inert. All units stood down.”
Kent Police also attended the scene. It was a second visit for the bomb team who had been called to Grenham Bay on Sunday (January 6) after a reported sighting of suspicious objects.
Kent Police contacted the Ministry of Defence for an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to inspect the scene.