‘WW2 bomb’ blown up after being found in River Trent

A suspected bomb from the Second World War has been dragged from the River Trent by an unsuspecting couple.

Steve and Leanda Hillier were clearing the banks on what is known as Bob’s Island, off Mill Lane, in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on Wednesday when they made the discovery.

Mrs Hillier said: “It was a bit frightening. Steven picked it up and said ‘I think it’s a bomb’, so I told him ‘so put it down!'”

The item was examined by army experts and destroyed in a controlled explosion early on Thursday.

The couple were clearing waterways around the island, which is a popular angling location, when the item was spotted.

Mrs Hillier said: “Steven thought it was a bag at first, but as soon as we realised, we rang the police.

“They turned up, then the bomb squad came and, after taking a look, they said they needed to blow it up.

“When Steven was holding it, one of the fishermen was actually stood with us and he said ‘why don’t you video him?’

“And I said ‘video him? When he’s got a bomb in his hand? I don’t want that as a memory!'”

A police spokesman said: “A suspected bomb from the Second World War was safely destroyed in Newark just after 8am today.

“Police were called around 4.35pm yesterday – 17 September – after a suspicious item was spotted in the river, near Mill Lane, Newark.

“This was later confirmed to be a small, unexploded ordnance bomb, believed to be from the Second World War era.

“Police cordons were temporarily put in place around the Mill Lane area, while Joint Services Explosive Ordinance Disposal Engineers safely removed the object.”