A BOMB squad have been in Crayford town centre this morning after builders made a shocking discovery.

Workers on a site in Crayford Road unknowingly unearthed a 12 inch mortar bomb yesterday afternoon. (May 29)

Police were called at shortly after 8.30am this morning and closed off the Crayford one way system until 10.10am while the bomb disposal team analysed the World War II device.

Crayford Library and Crayford Community Centre were evacuated and are expected to reopen at noon.

A Bexley police spokesman said: “Yesterday builders working in Crayford Road discovered what they thought was a bit of ordinance outside and stuck it in a bucket of water.

“Police were called at 8.34am this morning. There was a small cordon put in place around the area and the bomb disposal team discovered a 12 inch mortar bomb with no explosives inside and therefore posed no danger to the public.”

A Bexley Council spokeswoman confirmed: “It was all over really quickly.”