An unexploded WW2 bomb that was found in a garden in Plymouth has been safely transferred to the sea, Devon and Cornwall Police say
The device was moved by military convoy from the Keyham area of the city to the Torpoint Ferry slipway, from where it has been taken to sea for detonation
A 300m cordon set up around the disposal route has been lifted and thousands of people who were evacuated have been told they can return to their homes
More than 10,300 people and some 4,300 properties fell within the area that was cordoned off by police
The Ministry of Defence has described it as one of the largest UK peacetime evacuations since WW2
Police were called on Tuesday to the discovery of the bomb in a garden in St Michael Avenue
The area was heavily bombed during the war in an attempt to damage nearby naval facilities
Sasha Page said not being able to stay at home would affect her job.
She said: "I work from home, my partner works from home, so we're just a little bit up in the air - do we go, do we stay.
"I've just spoken to a police officer who was very friendly and kind, and he said if you're near where the incident is happening then you should potentially pack a bag."
CityBus has said its services are being impacted by the current cordon in place around the site of an unexploded World Was Two bomb.
Routes affected include:
Georgina Barnes
BBC South West
More than 3,200 people are thought to have been asked to leave their homes due to the current cordon.
Plymouth City Council said a total of 1,219 properties were in the 309m (1,014ft) exclusion zone while services considered the best course of action to take to make the WW2 bomb safe.
The council said an estimated 3,250 people had been displaced.
Any vulnerable residents without access to social media updates have been contacted by the council directly, it said, and members of the council have been door knocking to let residents know they needed to leave home.
Image source, Plymouth City CouncilA creche, food, drink and essential items such as toiletries and blankets are available at Plymouth Life Centre for Keyham residents who have been displaced from their homes.
The rest centre opened at 07:00 GMT and Plymouth City Council said its staff and partners would be on hand to offer help and support.
A free shuttle bus was put on for those needing transport to the centre while free parking was made available at the Milehouse Park and Ride.
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Richard Green
BBC Radio Devon
Matt Wake will not be able to stay at home tonight, but is staying optimistic about the situation.
He said: "People know each other here, we look out for each other, we're all absolutely fine and we will be fine but patience will eventually wear thin that's all.
"We're just praying it gets sorted out either today or tomorrow because nobody wants to go into the weekend sleeping on the floor at their sister's house - like I will be doing tonight."
Richard Green
BBC Radio Devon
Despite all the upheaval in Keyham, the atmosphere remains upbeat and stoical among the residents.
Many are politely asking officers near the widening cordon for advice and without compliant, then moving their cars or making alternative plans for the day and potentially, the night.
Everyone in the area has community spirit, everyone is helping their neighbours, supporting the authorities, and meeting the difficulties with a collective shrug of their shoulders.
A World War Two bomb evoking the “we're in this together” spirit of the war years in 2024.
Craig Norton lives with his disabled mum, and is currently on the edge of the cordon.
"I will be going to work, with a plan on coming back, unless I get told otherwise that I can't," he said.
Mr Norton said he asked police if they would be forced out, as he had nowhere to go, but that "there's no official guidance from anybody to say that there's going to be a compulsory 'you have to get out'".
Plymouth City Council told people to leave their homes in the expanded cordon area by 09:00 GMT and to prepare to stay away for at least a 36-hour period.
Marianne Langford has lived in the area for 11 years, and said she was relieved that her house was just outside the new cordon.
"I hardly slept a wink last night - I'm not angry, it's just one of those things isn't it, comes with living near the dockyards," she said.
She said she would be taking her next door neighbour, who is in the new cordon, to the rest centre for support.
The cordon has now been officially extended from 200m (656ft) to 309m (1,014ft).
Residents living in the new part of the cordon were asked to leave their homes from 09:00 GMT.
BBC Radio Devon
Police are in the area to support residents affected by the cordon
People need to leave their homes if they live within the cordon, MP Luke Pollard says.
He said: "I know this is really difficult for local residents, especially in a community that's been through so much in recent years, but it's really important people do leave their homes, don't return until they're given notice by the police.
"That is to keep them safe to make sure that there's no risk to life for any local residents while the bomb is made safe."
Mr Pollard said the council was working "on the assumption" that people could return homes within the next 36 hours.
"Unfortunately from my point of view this will take as long as it takes," he added.
Police are in the area to support those affected by the cordon.
Experts are deciding the best course of action to take to make the WW2 bomb safe.
Lt Col Rob Swan, commanding officer of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search Regiment, said there were " a number of actions" they could take.
He said: "Nothing has been ruled out - we could potentially move the device, or we could have to deal with it in situ.
"As we do more of a risk assessment that ultimately will decide what course of action we choose.
"Should we look to do it in situ, we need mitigation to protect properties as much as possible, and obviously it's a huge logistic task to get those sandbags in place, so we want them ready [and] good to go just in case."
Lt Col Swan said the cordon was in place to "make sure all members of the public are safe".
He said: "Preservation of life is the first thing, and that will be the key thing in all assessments being made, and then preservation of property.
"All I can [do to] reassure the public is we will look at every possible situation and course of action to resolve the situation as safely and as quickly as possible."
Plymouth City Council said it understood the situation would be worrying for residents, but wanted to assure them it was working closely with the police, NHS and other partners to ensure people's safety and wellbeing throughout the situation.
It said it would be providing updates through its social media accounts and on its website, external.
A free shuttle bus has been put on for those residents needing transport to the Life Centre, which is offering food, drinks and shelter as well as support for those needing help finding a place to stay.
Plymouth City Council said the service would start at 08:00 GMT with pick up at Wolseley Rd, Saltash Rd and St Levan Rd every 15 minutes.
Plymouth City Council have advised those being evacuated from their homes to do the following:
The Life Centre opened at 07:00 GMT to support residents affected, providing a room for children, a help point for those needing accommodation, food and essential items.
More Keyham residents are being asked to leave their homes by 09:00 GMT as the cordon around the unexploded World War Two bomb is being extended.
A small initial cordon was increased to 200m (656ft) around the bomb within hours of police being alerted to its discovery on Tuesday.
The new cordon will be 309m (1,014ft) and Plymouth City Council said it would be in place “for at least a 36-hour period”.
It said from 08:00 teams from the council would be knocking on the doors of those households who would be affected by the increased cordon to ensure they have the support they need.
Residents have been encouraged to organise accommodation with friends and family, but the Life Centre will be open for those who do not have that option.
We are ending our live coverage now but we will be back with more updates on Thursday.
Alex Green
BBC News
After several updates from the council and emergency services this evening, here is the latest information:
Alex Green
BBC News
A fire truck carrying sand bags was spotted in the area this afternoon.
Lt Col Rob Swan said sand bags had been brought to the scene as mitigation should the bomb disposal team choose to deal with the bomb in situ.
He said: "Obviously, it's a huge logistic task to get those sandbags in place, so we want them ready, good to go, just in case that is the course of action we choose."
Plymouth City Council, external is advising residents who have homes that fall within the new cordon to take enough clothes and any medical prescriptions or equipment for the next couple of days.
Alex Green
BBC News
Councillor Sally Haydon said she and the council would do whatever was needed to keep the people of Plymouth safe.
"My, and the council's priority, always, is the safety of our residents and we will do whatever we need to do to make sure they are safe, with a roof over their heads, and a warm space," she said.
"Last night we accommodated 33 families, today on top of that 91, and everyone's had accommodation, so that's absolutely brilliant."
Alex Green
BBC News
Lt Col Rob Swan said nothing had been ruled out in terms of how the bomb in Plymouth could be dealt with.
"There are a number of courses of action still on the table, and nothing has been ruled out," he said.
"We could potentially move the device, or we could potentially have to deal with it in situ.
"As we do more assessment, and do more of a risk assessment, that will ultimately decide which course of action we choose."