A controlled explosion has been carried out today after war-time shells were washed up on Sheppey.

Royal Navy bomb disposal experts were called to the Minster Leas this morning after four devices were discovered on mudflats.

Teams pitched up on the seafront in front of The Playa pub to investigate at about 8am.

It is thought bait-diggers had reported war-time shells that had washed up on the sandbank.

A small controlled explosion was carried out at about 9.30am on the water's edge.

The teams left about an hour later.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "There were four 3in shells which had washed up on the mudflats.

"They were British, most likely dating from the Second World War.

"They were lumped together and a controlled explosion was carried out."

He added: "We have had some rough weather and when there's an extreme low tide it can unearth these things which have been there for decades.

"It's a relatively common occurrence."

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