Bomb disposal unit called in to deal with device near Norfolk seal colony beach

Police have closed the car park near the seal colony at Horsey Gap to deal with an unexploded device. Credit: ITV News Anglia

A bomb disposal team has removed an unexploded device from a Norfolk beach car park after identifying it as an old mortar shell not deemed to be live.

Norfolk Police said officers attended at Horsey Gap after the discovery was made by a member of the public just before 9am on Tuesday.

The car park was cordoned off until the bomb disposal team could inspect the item and it has since reopened.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: "The car park had been closed, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers were called to the scene.

"After careful examination the device was not deemed to be live, and was believed to be an old mortar shell.

"The device was taken for safe disposal by the EDO team.

"The beach car park is now open, and we thank the public for their patience and cooperation while the incident was resolved."

Horsey on the Norfolk coast between Great Yarmouth and Cromer is known for its colony of grey seals. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Horsey is known for its colony of grey seals, which come ashore to breed during the winter months.

Friends of Horsey Seals, which monitors the coast from Winterton to Horsey, said 2,136 pups arrived in the winter of 2019 to 2020, up 247 on the season before.