A Second World War grenade has been blown up in a Maidstone Park by specialist teams.

It happened just before 2pm today, after police sealed off a street close to the town centre when the device was found.

Melville Road, off Mote Road, was shut in both directions from the junction with Brunswick Street East while the potential explosive was examined.

Emergency services, including a crew from Kent Fire and Rescue, were called to the scene near the Kingsley Arms pub at about 11.30am.

Later on, a bomb disposal team, plus fire crews and police moved to Mote Park where the device was detonated in a controlled explosion.

Smoke could be seen above the park and there was a scream as a bang was heard.

Emergency vehicles were parked behind Maidstone Leisure Centre which backs onto the park.

The drama began this morning when homeowner Jacky Marchant called 999 after seeking advice from the Ministry of Defence.

"It's been sitting in my conservatory for the last 12 years," she said. "It belongs to the person who lived here before me.

"It could be really embarrassing and turn out to be nothing but I thought I had better make sure."

Miss Marchant said she hadn't given the object much thought until yesterday, when a friend with links to the MOD asked her to send a picture of it.

She said: "He called me and said to call the police straight away."

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived at the residential street at around 1pm and removed the canister from the mid-terrace house.

No explosion was carried out there but neighbours were told to stay inside during the investigation.

Miss Marchant, a mother-of-five, was told the device is believed to be an un-exploded smoke grenade. The road has re-opened.

It follows a bomb scare at Kings Hill Primary School yesterday.

Video: Police seal off the street and take grenade to park

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