Police have warned Harrogate residents not to be alarmed by a “loud noise” this afternoon as a controlled explosion is carried out.

Officers have been dealing with a report of a suspected unexploded grenade from the Second World War in a rural area on the outskirts of the town.

Posting on social media around noon, North Yorkshire Police said a controlled explosion would be carried out around half an hour later. The post said:

“Earlier this morning a member of the public contacted us after they found an item, they believed, could have been an unexploded grenade from WW2.

“They were using a metal detector in a rural area on the outskirts of Harrogate at the time of the find.

“A 100 metre cordon has been put in place there has been no need to evacuate homes or businesses due to the rural location.

“Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians are on their way to the scene to make the area safe.”

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