Black Country school forced to close as army bomb disposal experts examine nearby item

Army bomb disposal experts are examining an item found near a school in the Black Country as pupils have been forced to stay at home today (4 January).

Ellowes Hall Sports College in Dudley sent a text message to parents this morning informing them of items discovered by a member of the public found near Old Quarry Drive in Upper Gornal at around 10pm yesterday.

The bomb disposal team were then taken to playing fields linked to the site to be inspected by Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators.

The school was not connected to the discovery but decided to remain closed as investigations continued, police said.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told BlackCountryLive: "We were called by a member of the public at around 10.20pm yesterday after the discovery of suspicious items on land near Old Quarry Drive, in Upper Gornal.

"As a precaution, the items were taken to playing fields at Ellowes Hall Sports College so that they can be examined by the Army's EOD team. We are liaising with the school, which is not connected with the discovery.

"The school has decided to close today while our investigations continue."

A spokesperson for the school added: "I can confirm that Ellowes Hall Sports College is closed today due to a police incident unrelated to the school.

"We are waiting for further details to be communicated to us."

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