Dozens of homes were cordoned off after a man found a Second World War shell while digging in his garden.

Residents in Eastcote Grove, Southend, were given the option of moving out after Ian Goodfellow, 53, made his discovery.

Ian said: "I was surprised. I was digging up the ground as part of the preparation work for an extension and I kept hitting something hard. I thought it was a rock but when I uncovered it I found it was a tank-busting shell."

Police cordoned off the area and Ian's neighbours were given the option of evacuating the road as a bomb disposal team secured and removed the foot-long shell.

Published Wednesday August 21, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo