Unexploded WW2 bomb detonated on beach

Ainsdale Beach was cordoned off as the bomb was detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team

An unexploded World War Two bomb found in a Merseyside town has been taken to a nearby beach and detonated.

Footage of the explosion, captured by the news site Eye On Southport, showed an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team (EODI) destroying the device they had transported from Bootle to Ainsdale Beach, in Southport.

Police cordoned off the site for the detonation, which reportedly required the evacuation of 500 people from a nearby office block.

The discovery of the bomb at North Atlantic Avenue, Bootle, on Tuesday prompted officials to close the nearby Dunnings Bridge Road for more than four hours, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “The road closures have now been lifted. Thanks for your patience while the matter was being dealt with.”

In a post to social media, Sefton Council said: “Video footage from Eye on Southport showing great partnership working this afternoon to keep our communities safe.”