City centre cleared as wartime bomb uncovered

Part of a city centre was evacuated today after builders discovered a Second World War bomb, police said.

The unexploded device was found in Plymouth city centre this afternoon when workmen spotted the partially-buried device while carrying out building works.

Police were called to Notte Street at around 3.40pm and quickly alerted the Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

They have attended the site, near to the Holiday Inn, and are currently carrying out an assessment of the device, which is thought to be an unexploded wartime device.

Police are now evacuating the neighbouring buildings - commercial and residential - and creating a 300-metre cordon as a precaution.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Members of the public are advised to avoid the area for the time being as significant disruption is likely."