BOMB squad experts carried out a controlled explosion on a dud Second World War shell unearthed by workmen on the former Pirelli site in Eastleigh.

A mechanical digger driver discovered the old four and a half inch Royal Navy shell at the bottom of a 20ft hole towards the rear of what is now a Barratt Homes building site in Leigh Road.

It is not known whether the shell had lain undisturbed for years or recently been unwittingly brought on to the site as part of a lorry load of aggregate.

Explosive ordnance disposal officers from Aldershot carried out a controlled explosion on the shell at about 2pm yesterday.

Residents of houses backing on to the site were warned of the impending explosion by police and advised to stay clear of windows.

An Army spokesman said: "It presented no danger. We blew a hole in it to confirm it was inert and the shell was recovered pretty much intact. It was a routine matter."

Sergeant Peter Jones said: "We are not evacuating the area, just advising people to stay away from their windows. It was easy to deal with because it is in a part of the site away from housing and we were alerted as soon as it was found."

Barratt's site manager Rob Bailey refused to discuss with the Daily Echo whether there was even an explosive device on site or whether workers were being evacuated.

Residents seemed to be taking it all in their stride.

"It was a bit worrying," said Howard Blake, 32, a partner in a computer business working in Coniston Road, just behind the site.

"The police said it was nothing to be alarmed about but they said we might hear a bang and I said I would stay at the front of the house. It was a bit of excitement."

Amrik Singh, 23, another Coniston Road resident, said: "I can't believe it. It's a bit strange but I'm not worried."

Neither was his neighbour, retired Pirelli worker Stanley Fowler, 78, who said: "We've been told to move to the front of the house but we're not really concerned."