Peacehaven 'wartime bomb' confirmed as fuel tank
- Published
A 650ft exclusion zone has been put in place
A suspected wartime bomb discovered at a building site in East Sussex has been confirmed as a fuel tank, police say.
A 650ft (200m) exclusion zone is in place in Peacehaven, with buildings evacuated and roads closed.
About 60 people had to leave their homes overnight to stay in temporary accommodation elsewhere in the town.
The tank, which was at first believed to be a bomb from World War Two, was found by workmen at 15:00 BST on Wednesday.
A bomb disposal team and emergency services were called after the discovery at a former police station, close to The Dell park.
Sussex Police said the cordon around the area is being lifted and residents are being allowed to return to their homes.
Diversions are also being removed.
Dozens of families were forced to spend the night away from their homes
Roads in the area, including the A259 South Coast Road, were closed overnight
Ch Supt Nick May said military bomb disposal experts had been excavating around the discovery.
Workmen made the discovery after striking "something metal" and called the police.
A bomb disposal team and emergency services remained at the scene overnight
About 55 people stayed at Peacehaven Leisure Centre overnight and were given blankets by the Red Cross, Ed Hele from Lewes District Council said.
He said others stayed with friends and family.
"We are prepared to put on extra overnight accommodation for those affected and we're getting more staff for the leisure centre," he added.
Peacehaven Heights Primary School and Peacehaven Community School were closed following advice from Sussex Police.
The A259 South Coast Road is closed between Roderick Avenue in the east and Malines Avenue in the west.
Phyllis Avenue, Hoddern Avenue, Rowe Avenue, Sutton Avenue, Cavell Avenue and Roderick Avenue to its junction with Arundel Road are also closed.