'Bomb' in the attic of Market Drayton house

Bomb disposal experts were called to a Shropshire town and a street was cordoned off for four hours after a mortar device was found in the attic of a house.

Paul Sokolov was carrying out renovation work at his home in Westland Road, Market Drayton, when he discovered the mortar round at about 4pm yesterday.

He immediately called police who quickly sealed off the road and asked residents to stay indoors.

Officers photographed the item before sending a copy on to the specialist Army bomb disposal unit.

Bomb squad officials, who said the item appeared to be a 1920 battlefield illumination round, gave police safety advice before rushing to the scene to remove it.

Inspector Martyn Barnes, of West Mercia Police, said: "On their attendance the item was removed and it was confirmed there were no explosive or hazardous materials contained in it.

"It would appear that it had been fired some time ago. At this stage we have no idea how that item came to be in the house and the informant could not shed any light on this."

Mr Sokolov today said he knew on finding the device he would have to call the police as he recognised it as a mortar round.

"I think the guy who lived here before was in the Army and when I found it I knew I couldn't just throw it in the bin," he added.