An Army bomb disposal unit was called in and several houses were evacuated when an unexploded shell was unearthed in Dovercourt.
Soldiers and police sealed off roads and a section of the beach while they blew up the highly dangerous Second World War device.
A builder discovered the cylinder-shaped shell while working in a garden in Fronks Road during Saturday lunchtime.
He alerted the owner of the detached house who called the police just after 1pm.
The Army bomb disposal team travelled from Colchester Garrison and started removing it about an hour-and-a-half later.
Part of Fronks Road, Beach Road and Lower Marine Parade were sealed off during the detonation, which took place at about 5pm
Published Monday October 14, 2002
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