Alert as bomb shell found at Oswestry building site

The discovery happened just yards from homes at Park Hall, the former army training camp on the edge of Oswestry.

Contractors working to clear an area designated for homes raised the alarm on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were quickly on the scene and set up a cordon around a large area of land.

Officers went from door to door asking residents who live in the former army married quarters to stay indoors and keep away from the windows for fear of an explosion.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "We have been told not to go outside. The police are waiting for the bomb squad to arrive."

The area includes Park Crescent, Larkhill Road, Artillery Road and St Barbara's Place.

Ed Hancox, West Mercia Police's duty inspector for Oswestry, said: "The single shell was found by a construction worker on Tuesday afternoon, and it has been there for some time.

"Residents have been told to stay indoors and police are at the scene.

"The bomb squad is coming from Hereford to deal with the situation and are expected to be there on Tuesday evening.

"There is no other reason for residents to be alarmed."

The Park Hall Army camp was closed in the mid 1970s. It had been a base for infantry training and the Royal Artillery Junior Leaders base.

Local residents had objected to plans for new homes on the land on which the discovery was made.