Farmer tells of bomb shock

A Shropshire farmer has described how he and his workmen had a lucky escape after they discovered a World War Two bomb.

Phil Harding was working with contractors Adam Coxhill and Matthew Tong at his farm in Ratlinghope, near the Stiperstones, on Monday.

Bomb experts exploded the device that evening in a field near the farm after it was dug up during conversion work.

The men were working at the farm as bad weather meant they could not work out in the fields, but they were shocked to unearth a live bomb.

Mr Harding said: "I was digging some rubble out and after I had finished Adam and Matthew came across the farm with this bomb in their hands saying 'we have found a bomb'.

"It looked dangerous, it was very corroded but you could tell the end was brass. It could have been awful, it could have gone off with a real bang with us there."

West Mercia Police spokesman said they were called shortly before 3pm and confirmed it appeared to be a wartime shell.

"I called the police and the Ludlow police came up and they didn't know what to make of it so they put it in a field," added Mr Harding. "More police came from Church Stretton and then the bomb squad arrived."

The Explosives Ordinance Department arrived at about 7pm and the device was destroyed in a controlled explosion.

The site of the bomb is where the annual Farmer Phil's Music Festival is held. The event will be held on August 15 and 16 and tickets will go on sale soon.