Playpark where 176 bombs found closed 'for months'

A total of 176 "practice" bombs have been found in Wooler, as well as other pieces of munitions

A playpark where 176 bombs from World War Two were found will be closed for several months, a councillor says.

The first of the practice devices, which still contain a charge, was discovered in Wooler, Northumberland, last month, followed by much larger finds.

Local Conservative councillor Mark Mather said the total cost of the clear-up was more than £40,000 and was "disappointed" the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would not pay for it.

The MoD said its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regiment operated at "extremely high-readiness" where there was "an immediate risk to life".

It is believed the area was used as a Home Guard training ground and the ordnance was buried at the end of the war.

It was discovered when work began to add a £150,000 fully inclusive playpark to the existing area in Scotts Park.

The ordnance carries a charge and therefore needed to be recovered

"We've just about finished clearing the site now but there's a long way to go before we can reopen," Mather said.

"I'd like to thank the contractor Brimstone Site Investigations for their professionalism but I'm really disappointed in the MoD.

"We've had the cost of the survey, hiring a digger and now removing the ordnance but apparently the MoD has no mechanism to financially support us or remove the items themselves."

Only two pieces of play equipment are left undamaged

Northumberland County Council has agreed to cover the cost of the operation to make the playpark safe.

Mather hopes contractors will be back on site by April or May and would love to see the park reopen "on the first day of the summer holidays".

In a statement, the MoD said: "The UK's EOD Regiment has supported the local authority in Wooler, advising them on how to safely remove any further ordnance."

It added that the regiment "is a small unit, responding to requests across the country".