Unearthed UK WWII shell sparks evacuation

Concerns over an unexploded bomb found under a school playground have prompted the evacuation of hundreds in Bath.

Police divert away traffic from an exclusion zone set up after contractors unearthed a Second World War shell in Bath, England. Source: AP

Hundreds of people have been told to leave homes and businesses in the English city of Bath after a 225kg unexploded World War II bomb was found under a school playground.

Police evacuated residents for 300m around the device, found during construction work at the disused Royal High School. Some spent the night at a local racecourse.

Chief Inspector Kevin Thatcher of Avon and Somerset Police said on Friday that explosives experts are working to make the shell safe. The plan is to move it outside the city where it can be exploded safely.

Police said some residents might not be able to return until Saturday.

Britain was heavily bombed by Germany's Luftwaffe during the war, and undetonated explosives are sometimes found during construction work.