Seafront caravans evacuated as clifftop collapse reveals unexploded bomb

During an "unprecedented" erosion of East Suffolk and Norfolk's coastlines, specialists carried out a controlled explosion of a bomb found on the base of a cliff, ITV News' Natalia Jorquera reports

An unexploded bomb was discovered on a beach near an East Suffolk holiday park after high tides and winds caused sections of cliff edges to collapse.

Several people had to be evacuated from their caravans at Pakefield Holiday Park in Arbor Lane overnight after a section of road fell onto the beach below – leaving some dangerously close to the cliff edge.

An unexploded bomb was later found by a member of the public on the base of the cliff, on the same stretch of beach, at around 12.20pm on Saturday.

HM Coastguard teams were sent to help East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Police – setting up an exclusion zone of 100 metres.

The service said in a statement that ordinance disposal specialists attended the scene and carried out a controlled explosion.

Coastguards say the beach at the bottom of the steps at Arbor Lane, has now been mostly washed away Credit: HM Coastguard Lowestoft

Before the bomb was found, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk firefighters were urging people not to walk near the edge of the base of the cliffs, as parts of the beach has now been washed away.

A cordon has been put in place on the coastal steps to stop people from going onto the seafront. 

Clive Crossley who lives along the seafront in Pakefield told ITV News Anglia he fears that they have lost five metres in front of his home overnight.

"It is unprecedented" he said.

"It is very worrying. We don't have time. We need to be doing things immediately."

A cordon remains in place stopping people from getting close to the beach Credit: ITV News Anglia

Coastguards in Lowestoft have been monitoring the situation throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile in Hemsby, Norfolk, part of a crucial access road to the Marrams collapsed into the sea.

Coastguards say there has also been significant damage to the Hemsby Gap area and the surrounding dunes, with some homes left without electricity as power lines were brought down.

Overnight storm conditions has led to more coastal erosion in Hemsby Credit: Hemsby Lifeboat

It comes after the local lifeboat was left unable to launch last month after more than two metres or six feet of coastline was lost to the sea during high tide.

The village was battered by high tides and strong winds Credit: Hemsby Lifeboat

The crumbling coastline at Hemsby has seen the village fall victim to coastal erosion, with houses dragged back from the dangerous cliff edge over the years.

In March, homes were demolished in the area, with another dragged back as its owner desperately tried to save the property.

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