The bomb squad was called to a normally peaceful Shropshire community after a World War Two hand grenade was found in a back garden.

A property in Barrow Street, Much Wenlock, was taped off by police and the Royal Logistic Corps’ bomb disposal team was called.

Mike Cooperthwaite was busy clearing the garden for a renovation project, next door to his own house, when he unearthed the unexploded grenade under the garden shed yesterday morning. 

Mr Cooperthwaite, 60, said: “I was just cleaning up the garden when I came across the grenade. I could see it was very corroded and didn’t touch it but cleared the area around it.

“I called the police and then the bomb squad was called. Apparently it’s a Mills bomb. 

“At first the bomb squad thought it was live and would need to be exploded but on inspection the team discovered it had been drained so they just removed it.

“It was all a bit of an anti-climax, really. Finding some hidden treasure next might be nice!”

A neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said she and her husband had been in Shrewsbury in the morning and returned home to find not only the house in question had been cordoned off with police tape, but also some of their own house.

She said: “It looked like a murder scene. We were very glad to find out when it wasn’t. But it’s still quite an exciting event for our quiet street.”

Broseley Community Support Officer Malcolm Goddard said: “The guys renovating the house found the grenade in the back garden and very sensibly didn’t touch it but called the police. 

“We cleared the area and waited for the bomb squad, who arrived at about 2.30pm.

“After inspecting the grenade they fortunately did not have to carry out a controlled explosion but have taken the grenade away.”

By Catherine Roche