Mortar bomb find halts Guiseley-Ilkley rail services

Train services in part of West Yorkshire have resumed after a mortar shell was earlier found near a railway crossing, sparking cancellations.

The "training bomb" was discovered near the tracks between Guiseley and Ilkley on Monday morning, Network Rail said.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the device had since been removed after officers were called to Sun Lane, Ilkley, shortly before 10:00 BST.

Train operator Northern said the railway line had reopened at 12:35 BST.

Network Rail said a staff member had found the device near the level crossing off Sun Lane during routine maintenance.

A 100m cordon was put in place around the line while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team dealt with the mortar shell.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "The Army sent a specialist bomb disposal team from Catterick Garrison, who were able to identify the device as a training device which posed no risk to the public.

"Network Rail were then able to safely re-open the railway, with services returning to normal this afternoon."

The device was "completely safe" and one that was used during training exercises, the Network Rail spokesman added.

In a tweet earlier, Northern said train services between the two stations had been cancelled after a "wartime bomb" was found and buses had been brought in to replace the cancelled train services.

Northern was notified of the discovery of the device by Network Rail, a spokesman from the operator said.

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