Bomb disposal experts were alerted after an unidentified object was spotted just yards from Clacton's historic pier.

The metal object was showing just above the waterline to the east of the structure and the area was cordoned off yesterday afternoon as a precaution to keep people safe.

Thames Coastguard at Walton took control of the situation and a team from Clacton went back to make further investigations at low tide.

Last night, a number of calls were made between coastguards and the bomb disposal unit based at Portsmouth before a team decided to travel to Clacton to identify the object, which was 48cms long and 10cms in diameter.

It was then discovered it was nothing more than a piece of old electrical equipment which may have fallen off the pier and was declared safe and taken back to Portsmouth.

Bruce Lack, watch manager at Walton, said the object had been spotted by Tendring Council's beach patrol team just before 2pm as the tide was about to cover it.

They alerted the coastguards and an area around the slipway of the pier was cordoned off.

Mr Lack said that although the object was clearer at low water it was still partially buried in the sand and difficult to identify.

Published Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette