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Seafront cordoned off over suspected explosives

Craig Buchan
BBC News, South East
Eddie Mitchell Two men in blue overalls and hard hats stood on a promenade. They are talking to two women on the other side of a blue tape cordon and the promenade is otherwise clear of people.Eddie Mitchell
Littlehampton seafront was cordoned off after two suspected explosives were reported

A seafront in West Sussex was cordoned off after two suspected explosives were reported.

Littlehampton Coastguard set up a safety cordon at the western end of The Promenade after a report of the items, near the coastguard tower, was made shortly before 13:00 BST.

The items were removed "for safe disposal", according to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Sussex Police said the "suspected explosive shell or flare" turned out to be "nothing of interest".

Arun District Council said the beach and promenade had reopened, and thanked the bomb squad for the removal of the "unidentified devices".

"We appreciate your patience and ask that if you see anything suspicious on our seafronts or beaches, you report to the foreshores office straight away," a council spokesperson added.

Eddie Mitchell Two four by fours parked close together. One is painted black and has Royal Navy Bomb Disposal on the back, while the other has a yellow bonnet marked HM Coastguard. A man in blue and illuminous yellow safety gear is walking towards the cars.Eddie Mitchell
The items were removed "for safe disposal", according to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency

A Sussex Police spokesperson added: "We thank the public for their patience while this incident was dealt with."

The beach was also closed in similar circumstances on 1 May, according to council.

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