Village road near Horsham cordoned off after ‘unexploded shell’ discovered

Villagers heard a ‘huge bang’ after an unexploded shell was discovered near Horsham.
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Victoria Elliott was out running on Knob Hill when she spotted an 18 inch shell at the bottom of a bush.

The former civil servant said she alerted police who rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area.

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Victoria, 57, added: “I just thought ‘oh what’s that’ – being rather nosey.

Victoria spotted the 18-inch shell under a bush on Knob HillVictoria spotted the 18-inch shell under a bush on Knob Hill
Victoria spotted the 18-inch shell under a bush on Knob Hill

“Went over and thought ‘that looks like a shell’.”

She said she first reported the bomb – which she believes could date from the Second World War – on Saturday afternoon.

Police were scrambled to the scene and a controlled explosion happened around 8.30pm.

Victoria said villagers heard a ‘huge bang’ coming from the Knob Hill area.

The shell was destroyed in a controlled explosionThe shell was destroyed in a controlled explosion
The shell was destroyed in a controlled explosion

She added: “It did make quite a noise.

“We were about 500 yards away.

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“It was quite a small shell. I’m no expert at all but I’m guessing it’s not something that fell from the sky.

“I assume it’s from the Second World War.”

Victoria, who lives in Warnham said the bang was smaller than she expected.

She added: “I wasn’t really worried or anything.”

Sussex Police have been approached for comment.