Controlled explosion on suspected World War Two bomb

The suspected device was found in Coleraine on Wednesday

A controlled explosion has been carried out on a suspected World War Two (WW2) bomb that was found in County Londonderry.

It was discovered in the Laurel Hill Road area in Coleraine shortly after 09:45 GMT on Wednesday.

Ammunition Technical Officers were sent to the scene alongside police officers.

Residents were not moved from their homes, but the public had been asked to avoid the area.

The device was found on land being developed by Radius Housing, near the former Laurel Hill House site in Coleraine.

During WW2, Laurel Hill House was used by the British and the US army.

A spokesperson for Radius said that during preparatory works, archaeological investigations uncovered a number of unexploded devices.

"Following the initial finds, we engaged a specialist company to investigate the full site," they added.

"The device found through these investigations has been safely removed."

The spokesperson said investigations will continue and construction work will begin when specialists have completed their work.

"The safety of staff, contractors and neighbours is a priority for Radius and our contractors."

Third suspected WW2 bomb this year

It is the third suspected war-era bomb found in Coleraine within the last year.

In September, a WW2 bomb was found at a construction site in the Strand Road area of Coleraine and was made safe by the Army.

Prior to that, there was a controlled explosion carried out on a suspected WW2 bomb in the summer which was also found in the Strand Road area of the town.