Police cleared the beach at Botany Bay in Broadstairs after a suspected bomb or mine was found there this afternoon (Wednesday).

Sunworshippers enjoying the late afternoon rays were evacuated while the Royal Logistics Corps carried out a controlled explosion just before 5pm.

The suspect device -- thought to date back to World War II -- was found in a cave in the undercliff of the popular beach.

Bags were filled with sand to blanket the explosion, while onlookers took up position on nearby cliff tops.

A loud explosion shook the watchers and a plume of dark grey smoke climbed the cliff face and drifted inland.