Controlled explosion of WW2 bomb found on seabed

Royal Navy divers came to the island to deal with the explosive

A controlled explosion has been carried out by Royal Navy divers off the north coast of Guernsey.

Police said what was thought to be "an airdropped weapon" from World War Two was detonated at 10:15 BST.

It said the device was discovered by a local diver.

The navy identified it as a German-made SC500 bomb. The designation means it would have weighed 500kg (110lb).

The device was discovered by a local diver

Police said Guernsey Harbours issued a warning to boat owners to keep clear of the area.

A police spokesperson explained the decision not to issue a general warning: "The detonation wasn’t announced in advance as surveys had to take place to ensure the ordnance was safe to destroy using specialist divers, who had to be deployed despite the weather conditions.

"The first dive took place at 09:50. When it was confirmed it was safe, the decision was made to make the detonation soon afterwards, at 10:15."

The detonation registered as a magnitude 2.7 earthquake detected 6km (4 miles) north of St Peter Port.

Lt Tom Robertson, the officer in charge of the Royal Navy diving unit which detonated the bomb, said an exclusion zone was implemented to "allow the team to safely dispose of the ordnance".

"Bomb disposal experts from Bravo Squadron of the Royal Navy’s Diving Threat and Exploitation Group were called to the north coast of Guernsey at the request of Guernsey Police after ordnance was reported as discovered in the area," he said.