The NHS in Devon is taking precautionary measures to make capacity available to support a multi-agency response to the unexploded bomb, it has said.

It has declared itself at critical incident as it said it was also facing “ongoing winter pressures”.

In an update, it said: “Declaring critical incident status for the county’s health services can make it easier for local NHS partners to work together to take the necessary steps to manage NHS resources to meet local demands.

“Local people can do their bit by using the right NHS service for their need when their condition is not an emergency or life-threatening.”

It said NHS Devon was working closely with all agencies involved with the major incident.

Georgina Barnes
BBC News

Image source, PA Media

More than 3,000 people have spent another away from their homes in Plymouth as the Ministry of Defence deals with an unexploded World War Two bomb.

The device was found on Tuesday morning in a garden in Keyham, and a 200m (656ft) cordon was put in place.

On Thursday the cordon was increased to 309m (1,014ft), with more than 1,200 properties evacuated.

The Army said it had not made a final decision on how it will deal with the bomb and police have. thanked residents for their patience.

The Life Centre remains open to support those displaced.

We are ending our live coverage now but we will be back with more updates on Friday.

George Thorpe
BBC South West

Here are the latest updates on the Plymouth bomb incident:

• The army says it has not made a final decision on what to do with the World War Two bomb.
• Police said the incident had been "challenging" and thanked residents for their patience.
• Plymouth City Council says the Life Centre will continue to offer support to people displaced from the cordon and remain closed to its members on Friday.
• Police say a number of residents are refusing to leave their homes.
• Further updates are expected from Plymouth City Council on Friday.

Supt Phil Williams said people have been allowed to return to their homes to collect certain items.

He told BBC Spotlight some have gone back to pick up medication.

Supt Williams added photo albums have been another item which have been popular for people wanting to return home.

"We have facilitated that during the day, people have gone back in for medication and people have gone back in for pets," he said.

Some parents have chosen to keep their children at home amid ongoing uncertainty, a primary school head teacher said.

Carina Francis, head of College Road Primary School, said: “It must be difficult for a parent to send their child to school knowing they are right on the edge of the cordon, they don’t know what's happening and we are the same as everybody else.

“It’s about trying to manage families’ feelings about the situation.

“There are local schools which were really impacted by the Keyham shooting a few years ago, for many families the heavy police presence and feeling of worry will be bringing back really difficult memories, we are really aware of that, we are a community that’s been hit by big events in the last two years.

“I’m just concerned about the children - lots of our children have been evacuated because the cordon comes very close, we can see the edge of it from the school.

“About 50 families live within the cordon, have been affected, and at least six staff.

“But so many have continued to come in.”

The Life Centre in Plymouth has been providing a space to people impacted by the cordon.

Plymouth City Council said more than 340 people visited, external the centre on Thursday.

"We can confirm that the centre will continue to be open throughout the night and tomorrow [Friday], to provide any support to people who have been evacuated.

"If you are unable to get to the Life Centre and need additional support, please call: 01752 668000, which will be available throughout the night."

One of the leading police officers at the World War Two bomb cordon has given an update on the situation, which he has described as "difficult".

Supt Phil Williams thanked residents and everyone involved in the incident for their support and help provided.

"It has been challenging and firstly I'd just like to thank everyone for their continued support and understanding and patience to what is, and continues to be, a difficult situation," he said.

"It would also be remiss of me not to thank the officers, volunteers, local businesses that have all rallied around to offer their support as well."

George Thorpe
BBC South West

A decision on what to do with the bomb has still not been taken, the military has confirmed.

Speaking to BBC Spotlight, Lt Col Rob Swan, from the EOD and Search Regiment, said they were still working on what to do with the bomb and are looking to make the bomb safe as quickly as possible.

He added public safety is the main priority.

Plymouth City Council has given an update on the situation with the unexploded bomb which was discovered in Keyham, Plymouth.

In a statement it said: "We appreciate the patience of residents who have been evacuated from the area around St Michael Avenue, where work is under way to make an unexploded wartime bomb safe.

"The bomb disposal experts are still assessing the device to determine the best possible approach. It is a very complex situation."

An events venue in Plymouth has offered its services to anyone displaced by the bomb cordon who needs a place to work.

A post on Facebook from Market Hall, external, based on Duke Street, Devonport, said: "If you're affected by the critical incident in Keyham and need somewhere to work tomorrow (Friday), we are offering free co-work at the Market Hall."

The venue will be open from 08:30 to 16:30 GMT.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Larry Turner has been preparing for the water to be turned off by filling up empty pots and pans.

Mr Turner, who is outside the exclusion zone in Keyham, said he was not prepared to move if the cordon was extended further.

“The way the police have organised it spot on - they’ve been very informative," he said.

“We have all had a letter through our door this morning telling us our options

“They are not forcing the evacuation which is good.

“I have faith in the armed forces and whatever they’ve got to do.”

A letter he received from the council said “it is likely you will lose water supply while the operation is undertaken”.

It has been another busy day at the cordon around the site where the World War Two bomb was found in St Michael Avenue, Keyham, on Tuesday.

Here are some of the main points from Thursday so far:

• The cordon has been widened from 200m (656ft) to 309m (1,014ft)
• A Ministry of Defence official said the bomb was a 500kg (1,102lb) German weapon
• A "minimal" number of people are still inside the cordon area, police have said
• Police said a final decision on what to do with the bomb could be "made on Friday"
• Plymouth City Council said support for people evacuated from their home was a priority
• Displaced residents are being supported at the Plymouth Life Centre

Charlotte Cox
BBC South West

Schoolchildren who live near an unexploded World War Two bomb found in Plymouth have been offered extra counselling amid “anxiety” and a drop in attendance, a head teacher has said.

Carina Francis, head of College Road Primary School, said their building lies just metres from the 309m (1,014ft) exclusion zone.

About 50 of their families have been forced to leave their homes, she added.

She said of those about seven had moved outside the city to stay with friends and family and were not attending class.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

A pub near the police cordon in Ford has been letting emergency services in from the cold.

Owen Hannant, the landlord at the Ford Inn, said he had been providing people with teas and coffees.

He said: “We’ve let them in and keep them dry and warm.

“It seems more like a social club rather than a pub."

He said he had not had much sleep over the past few days.

“[It’s] just worrying, obviously, if the device goes off,” he added.

He said he was hopeful everything would get back to normal soon.

“They’ve evacuated a lot of [homes] but some people don’t want to leave,” he said.

Members of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group are among the people who have been helping at the cordon and making sure locals are well.

Speaking to BBC Spotlight, Kate Illman from the team said the mood of people in Keyham had been "fine" despite the discovery of an unexploed World War Two bomb and the evacuation that has taken place.

"They seem to be, you know, resilient and just getting on with their day, really," she said.

"So everybody seems to be pretty upbeat about it."

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

A woman who gave birth three weeks ago said she was “ready to go at the drop at a hat” if the cordon was extended.

Georgia and her three-week-old son Ralphie live three doors down from the cordon in Keyham.

“The bags are by the front door just in case,” she said.

“We’ve been trying to think of all the things we need for him.”

Image source, PA Media

Georgia said she would go to her parents house if she needed to leave.

“It’s been really nice, people have been coming up offering us help because they know we’ve got a little one,” she said.

“The support around us has been really useful and comforting as well.

“We’ll tell him about it when he’s older - it’s a bit of a rare situation, one to talk about in the future.”

Archie Farmer
BBC South West

Image source, PA Media

An insurance company has said it would cover damage caused by the detonation of the bomb.

In a statement Aviva said: "In the event of an explosion caused by an unexploded World War Two bomb, we would cover any damage to the home, as well as any alternative accommodation while the home is undergoing repair."

Meanwhile people forced to leave their homes are being advised to contact their insurance provider to see if it may be able to offer alternative accommodation.

Luke Behenna, managing director of Plymouth-based LMB insurance, said he was supporting landlords and tenants who had to leave their properties due to the increased cordon radius. He said: ”LMB insurance is advising people to contact their broker or check their policy wordings for alternative accommodation cover.“Landlords who are sorting temporary measures for their tenants, may be entitled to claim under loss of rent/alternative accommodation section of their policy.”

Zhara Simpson
BBC South West

A Plymouth rabbit boarder is offering Keyham residents a "safe space" for their pets following the evacuation.

Owner of Sunny's Warren and rabbit boarding, Jessica Jenkins, said she received concerned messages from rabbit owners on Wednesday.

Ms Jenkins said: "I'm offering a safe location for rabbits at a massively reduced price. It includes all the bedding, forage, hay, treats and cuddles.

"I would have loved to do it for free, but I'm a self-funded, so I could not do it for free.

"It must be a very stressful time for a lot of people and pet owners. Getting my rabbits to safety would be one of my top priorities."

Image source, Jessica Jenkins

She said there were currently 13 spaces available at her site in Southway but she could make more available, depending on demand.

"I'm trying to take stress off some people by offering safety for their rabbits," she said.

Ms Jenkins said she had already taken in two rabbits from Kayla Cullen and Jorden Brett and thought she would extend her offer to the wider community.

Ms Cullen described Ms Jenkins as their "lifeline".

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

Image source, FPS Images/Matt Gilley

The bomb at the centre of the Keyham cordon is a 500kg (1,102lb) German bomb from World War Two, defence officials have confirmed.

The weapon is a type of air-dropped bomb designated SC-500, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.

A 309m (1,014ft) cordon has been put up around the site in St Michael Avenue where the bomb was found and thousands of people have been evacuated.

The SC-500 is the same type of weapon that was found on the seabed and detonated off Guernsey last year.

The Guernsey detonation registered as a magnitude 2.7 earthquake detected 6km (3.7 miles) north of St Peter Port.

Image source, bbc