Residents preparing as mystery objects examined

People living in Millbay were asked to think about what essential items they should take with them and where they would stay if a cordon was put in place

Residents in an area of Plymouth have been asked to prepare an overnight bag if they are away from home on Monday morning ahead of an examination of two unknown objects found at a building site.

The items were discovered in December 2023 on land between Bath Street and Martin Street in the Millbay area of the city where 136 affordable homes are being built.

Plymouth City Council said although the objects were most likely reinforced concrete or pieces of railway track, it was still "planning for all eventualities".

Work to dig into the concrete at the building site has begun, a BBC reporter at the scene confirmed.

The council said on Thursday an evacuation was not planned but people have been advised to be prepared

One resident, Ian Creasy, said it would be "rather senseless to not have some concern" ahead of the work.

Guitar tutor Greg Clarke, who has a studio "extremely close" to the site, said it was "all a bit concerning".

"It will be a shame if I have to cancel my lessons," the self-employed teacher said.

Plymouth resident Antony Spencer said he was "mildly concerned".

"As far as I'm aware the cordon is only just around the site at the moment," he said.

"It hasn't gone any further than that but that depends on what they find today."

'Small chance' of cordon

The Box museum in Plymouth holds the bomb book, a record of where and when various World War two devices were dropped on the city.

Media archivist Stacey Anderson said Bath Street and Martin Street were named in the document.

The museum also has a black and white still image, from 1941, showing damage to the railway embankment near Bath Street.

The council said on Thursday an evacuation was not planned but people have been advised to be prepared as there is a "small chance" a cordon might be asked for.

It advised people living in Millbay to think about what essential items such as medication they should take with them and where they would stay if a cordon was put in place.

Millbay Academy announced on Friday it would be shut for the day as a precaution.