The unexploded device that bomb disposal experts dealt with this week has been revealed to be a First World War mortar.

Army experts in two large bomb disposal vehicles were outside Lime Wood on Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, just after 4.15pm on Monday.

They were called following the discovery of a suspected piece of “unexploded ordnance” and with police put a cordon in place.

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Brimstone UXO - who assess, survey and investigate potential unexploded ordnance hazards - said the object was a First World War-era Stokes mortar.

The explosive experts said on social media: "Drawing on our in-house records we’ve identified that the find is likely linked to the former Lyndhurst Training Area.

"The area hosted facilities such as the Trench Mortar School, where troops were trained to use the Stokes Mortar - a pivotal weapon in trench warfare.

"While we can’t say for certain that this is the origin of the UXO, the evidence strongly suggests a connection!"

Marc Heighway from the New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association added: "It's not unusual at all, I saw a Stokes mortar on that land a couple of years back.

"They get exposed when the gorse is cut back. It was a training area, and used for grenade training in WW1."

Army bomb disposal left the area just after 11am on Tuesday.