Old buoy sparks bomb scare on Weston-super-Mare beach

The buoy was dug out and brought to shore on a hovercraft

An old buoy has sparked a bomb scare on a beach.

A Royal Navy bomb squad was dispatched to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset on Saturday amid reports that an unexploded bomb had been discovered.

Upon arrival, the team ventured out to the object and quickly discovered that it was harmless.

The Royal Navy said it worked with the coastguard to remove the buoy after initially being called to a report of "possible historic ordnance".

A bystander said that they thought it was not a bomb by the "seam down its middle" and the way the team were carrying it.

It's believed the object was first spotted in the mud by a patrolling council ranger on Friday.

A Royal Navy bomb squad were called out to reports of a "suspicious object"

'Suspicious object'

Upon further investigation the bomb squad was called - who proceeded to dig it out.

It was quickly discovered that it was a harmless buoy before it was brought to shore on a hovercraft.

One witness - who did not wish to be named - said it was the "most exciting thing to happen in Weston in years".

They added: "I had my doubts whether it was a real bomb because of the seam in the middle and how easily they were lifting it."

The item turned out to be a harmless old buoy

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: "Bravo Squadron of the Royal Navy's Diving and Threat Exploitation Group was called to unconfirmed reports of possible historic ordnance in the water off Weston-Super-Mare.

"Upon arrival, the item was an old buoy. The squadron worked with the Coastguard to remove it from the water."