Close to 200 unexploded World War II bombs have been discovered underneath a children’s playground in north England, with fears even more could be discovered.
Close to 200 unexploded World War II bombs have been discovered underneath a children’s playground in north England, with fears even more could be discovered.
Close to 200 unexploded World War II bombs have been discovered underneath a children’s playground in north England, with fears even more could be discovered.
A total of 176 practice bombs, many of which still contain a charge, were discovered in Northumberland during a number of searches following the firstdiscovery in January.
Two of the bombs were initially removed by the British army before the local parish council was advised to do a full survey of the playground. That’s when a further 174 were discovered.
It’s believed the area was used as a Home Guard training ground before the bombs were buried following the end of WWII in 1945.
It’s believed the area was used as a Home Guard training ground before the bombs, which still carry charge, were buried following the end of WWII in 1945.
“I never thought as a parish councillor I’d be dealing with bomb disposal,” Conservative councillor Mark Mather told the BBC.
“It’s quite something to think the children have been playing on bombs and it’s been a really challenging situation.
“We’ve only cleared about a third of all the park and we could still find another pit with more bombs in.”
How the bombs were discovered
In December, the Wooler Parish Council secured a grant to build a fully inclusive playground, costing £150,00 ($330,000). But when they started digging the foundations in January the first bombs were discovered.
Bomb experts were called in and they confirmed the first device was a training bomb.
'It's quite something to think the children have been playing on bombs and it's been a really challenging situation,' Mather said.
After specialist site investigators were appointed, they found 65 bombs weighing around 45kg each. The following day a further 90 bombs were discovered.
“They are called practice bombs so they’re not live,” Mather said.
“But they do still carry a charge and were found with the fuse and contents intact so they could be hazardous.
“The story we’re getting from locals is that Wooler was a centre for Home Guard training and officers came here from all over the country.
