Suspected wartime bomb found near railway track

Passengers faced train disruptions this morning after a suspected wartime bomb was discovered at a housing development near the tracks.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said they were called just after 09:00 BST after "a piece of expected unexploded ordnance was discovered" at Whiteley Meadows, Curbridge.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team made the area safe and the item was found to be a "training device".

Train services stopped briefly between Eastleigh and Fareham but have now resumed, Network Rail confirmed.

Officers from British Transport Police, and Network Rail, assisted as the item was close to the railway.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We were contacted by the emergency services regarding a suspected unexploded bomb in close proximity to the railway near Botley.

"In order to protect passengers, we blocked the line in that area.

"Following further investigations by explosives experts, it transpired that the item was a training device. Normal working has been resumed.

"We thank passengers for their patience during these investigations."

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