Royal Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team called out to item on Culbin Beach

ANOTHER bomb from the Second World War was detonated on a local beach last week.

The Royal Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team carried out the controlled explosion near 'duck island' around half way along Culbin Beach after being alerted by HM Coastguard Moray of its discovery.

Senior coastguard operations manager, Colin Wood, confirmed a colleague found the large item and several smaller pieces at 3.30pm on Tuesday, July 28.

He said: "The details were passed to the navy and a coastguard kept guard as the pieces were uncovered by the tide.

"The navy team avoid working in the dark so got there on the following day. They assessed it as old Second World War ordinance. When the tide covers them, it's fine. It's when they are exposed that they can become problematic."

Mr Wood explained that they are commonly found at Culbin, particularly in the beach area. This is due to historic practice beach landings and ordinance going over the sides of boats during the war.

Mr Wood said: "Visitors will often pass them without realising and we are alerted to suspect items there around twice-a-month. This is most frequent after strong winds and swell which both exposes and hides them.

"The items are generally safe as they have been covered by sand for 70 years. They only become particularly dangerous if moved."

He added: "There have been cases in the south of England when folk have removed them and dried them out which can make them active again."