Homes evacuated in Bath after WWII bomb found

The unexploded World War Two bomb found in a school playground in Bath has been destroyed in a controlled explosion in an "isolated location", according to police.

The 500lb shell was disposed of on Friday night, having been deactivated by experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and taken out of the city on the back of a lorry.

Hundreds of homes in the area had been evacuated and three primary schools were closed in the area, along with a doctor's surgery.

An unexploded World War Two bomb uncovered in Bath has been made safe by experts.

The 500lb shell has been de-activated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and will now be removed from the site before being taken out of Bath to be disposed of.

Chief Superintendent Ian Smith, Area Commander for Bath, thanked residents and local businesses who had been affected by the incident. "Thank you for your patience, co-operation a

This 200kg bomb has lain under a former school site in Bath for more than 70 years - one of many which rained down on the city one weekend in 1942.

Residents were evacuated from their homes on Thursday as bomb disposal experts attempted to diffuse the Second World War device.

More than 400 people were killed in the Bath Blitz during World War II and scores of buildings destroyed.

"That history suddenly resurfaced and police weren't taking any chances", ITV News Correspondent Caron Bell reports.

Specialist explosives experts from the British Army began removing an unexploded World War II bomb from a residential area in Bath on Friday.

The British Army tweeted: "Army personnel from 721 EOD Sqn RLC support Avon and Somerset Constabulary deal with WW2 bomb in #Bath #BathBomb#".

A 300-metre exclusion zone remains in place in the Lansdown area of the city - affecting hundreds of homes - as efforts continue to remove the device, which weighs over 200kg.

Police have released pictures of the Bath bomb, which show how it nearly reaches 1.5 metres.

A corden remains in place while a bomb disposal team prepare to transport the World War Two bomb away from the residential Lansdown area:

Three schools in Bath have been closed this morning following the discovery of a World War Two bomb on Lansdown road.

St Andrew's, St Stephen's and Weston All Saints which are located near the 300m exclusion zone will re-open on Monday.

Traffic has also been affected by the road closures, with major delays expected across the Lansdown area. Police say residents could have to wait another 48 hours before they return home.

Police say it could take up to 48 hours before residents in Bath are allowed home following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb. A 300-metre exclusion zone remains in place in the Lansdown area this morning as efforts to remove the device continue.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated after the bomb squad were called to the site of a former school on Lansdown Road at approximately 4.40pm yesterday after contractors unearthed a 500lb shell.