Spitalfields Market evacuated after unexploded Second World War bomb dug up by builders

Explosives officers are on the scene and a safety cordon has been put in place

The bomb was found on a construction site in Spitalfields, east London

(Lee Thompson)

Builders have dug up an unexploded Second World War bomb near Spitalfields Market in London.

Police said the ordnance was discovered by construction workers at a site on Commercial Street at around 9.45am today.

Spitalfields Market and surrounding local businesses have been evacuated from the surrounding area as a precaution and a safety cordon is in place.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said specialist explosives officers were on the scene.

"We are asking the public to avoid the area whilst emergency services deal with the incident," he added.

Bombs dropped by German forces and their allies are continuing to be uncovered all over London, 70 years after the Second World War ended.

Residents of a street in Brockley were evacuated last month when a shell was found, following a similar incident in Bethnal Green in August and in Shepherds Bush the month before.

A 5ft-long bomb found in Bermondsey in March forced police to close London's iconic Tower Bridge and put residents up in emergency accomodation.