AN EXPLOSIVE discovery forced police to close Boundstone Road in Rowledge on Tuesday.

A bomb disposal team was called after a home owner found a 14-inch rusty mortar shell in a box during their spring clean.

It was assessed the device was “viable” so was taken away by experts for a controlled demolition.

The road was closed at around 5pm, and reopened approximately 90 minutes later.

A police spokesman said: “We were made aware of a suspicious object which appeared to be an unexploded bomb.

“A safety cordon was put in place and the road was closed.

“The bomb disposal team attended the location and removed the device to carry out a controlled explosion.”

* The above is the information as it was presented to the Herald by Surrey Police.

However, we are aware that posts online have since suggested the device was a ’Japanese smoke bomb’.