A BOMB disposal squad was called to Southamp-ton docks yesterday after a ship worker discovered a suspicious item on board the Sand Weaver vessel.

Naval experts were called to 49 berth, eastern docks, but said there was no cause for alarm after discovering a shell head in a pipe on the ship, which is used by Asso-ciated British Ports as a maintenance dredger.

Crew were evacuated from the boat for just under an hour while operations staff waited for a Royal Navy bomb disposal team to arrive, along with port security.

The shell head was discovered by a member of the crew while the ship was being cleaned. A spokeswoman for RMC Marine, which owns the ship, said the discovery was not unusual.

A statement later released by the company said: "While engaged in routine maintenance work on board MV Sand Weaver, a munitions shell was discovered in the dredge pipe of the vessel.

"Following standard procedures, the bomb disposal squad was contacted via the Port Authority who attended the vessel and removed the shell from the dredge gear for safe disposal elsewhere.

"The shell was discovered at 1300hrs and normal work resumed on board the ship at 1500hrs following the receipt of the all-clear from the bomb disposal squad."