The army has had to stop defusing an unexploded bomb that was discovered in Great Yarmouth due to the proximity of gas main pipes. 

The bomb was found during dredging work in the River Yare at about 11.35am on Tuesday near to the construction site of the third river crossing on Southown Road. 

Army specialists planned to begin cutting into the unexploded device overnight. 

However, head of Great Yarmouth Police, Nathan Clark, has said that works have been put on hold. 

LIVE: Updates as army specialists continue to deal with unexploded bomb

Mr Clark updated: "If something had gone wrong during that planned defusing process it could have been catastrophic if a blast happened."

The army have delayed cutting and is seeking advice from the Defence Science Technology lab, Mr Clark added. 

Specialists are currently working on finding a new approach to the situation and are assessing the risk to local infrastructure. 

Norfolk Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Davison said: “This is painstaking work and is causing huge disruption to people but it’s critical that we follow expert advice and do not take unnecessary risks because this device is unstable and should it detonate, poses a significant to life and property.

“A team of scientific experts together with the emergency services and local authority partners are currently trying to work out the best way of resolving this situation as safely and as quickly as possible.

“On behalf of all the agencies working together to bring about a safe resolution, I would like to thank the public and communities in Great Yarmouth for their understanding and resilience. We know this is disrupting your life and all agencies are working very hard to resolve this as soon as we can but with safety and preservation of life at the heart of what we’re doing.”