An unexploded Second World War bomb has been dug up on Winterton beach.

Police and the Army's bomb disposal squad was called to the coastal village, near Great Yarmouth, just after noon today after a metal detector discovered a two-inch mortar bomb sticking out of the dunes.

A cordon was put in place and the Beach Road cafe, car park and toilets evacuated while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team removed the ammunition from the scene.

Roger Rolph, watch manager at Winterton's coastwatch tower - operated by the charity Seasafety Group - was on duty when a man with a metal detector called him for help.

'He'd dug it out the sand and brought it here, to the station,' said Mr Rolph.

'He asked if he could take it home but I explained that wasn't the best idea.'

Mr Rolph, who said the car park was almost full and the beach busy with sun-seekers when the area was evacuated, advised anyone who finds unexploded ammunition to leave it where it is, then contact the Coastwatch for help.

'It you find something, mark the spot so we can find it, then tell us so we can contact the appropriate authorities. That is the safest way to deal with it.

'These things aren't rare. This was a garrison here so you're bound to find something and we'll often get bullets and ammunition and barbed wire too.'

A spokesman for Norfolk police said: 'The call came from the coastguard on Beach Road just after noon and it does appear to be part of a Second World War bomb.'

By 3pm, the car park has reopened and the beach was busy again.