A BOMB disposal squad was sent to a small rural village after a mortar from the Second World War was discovered there.
Police were called to a farmer’s field in Newton-in-Bowland shortly after 8pm on Monday following reports a bomb had been found.
The Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal unit safely detonated the device in the field at around 10.30am on Tuesday.
Farm owners Martin and Jean Howard were first made aware of the bomb’s presence after their friend, Paul Jackson, discovered it in the Slaidburn Road field while he was metal detecting.
Jean, 69, said both her and her husband no idea what the object was when Mr Jackson visited them with the mortar at around 6pm on Monday.
WW2 bomb found in field - how the story unfolded
The mum-of-two said: “Our friend brought it to the farmhouse.
“He put it on the kitchen windowsill but my husband said he didn’t want it there because we didn’t know what it was.
“We decided to move it and put it inside the plant plot at the front of our house.
“We did this because our grandchildren were coming round and we didn’t want them seeing it or messing around with it as we weren’t sure if it was dangerous.”
Following the visit of the three grandchildren, aged between 10 and 14, Martin and Jean conducted some research as they tried to find out what the object was.
The two pensioners, who have lived on Slaidburn Road for 40 years, discovered it was a relic from the Second World War and contacted the police.
Martin Howard, 71, whose family has owned the field for the last 60 years, said he never thought a wartime mortar bomb would be found next to his property.
Sgt Mick Smith said yesterday: “The owner of the farm contacted us.
“Some officers came out on Monday night but were unable to deal with the call as it was too dark.
“The area was cordoned off throughout the night and we waited for the bomb disposal team to arrive this morning to carry out the controlled explosion.”
The bomb is thought to be 530mm in length and 50.8mm in diameter.
Mr Jackson, 69, said: “When I saw it I thought it was part of an armament.
“I was not surprised when I heard it was a mortar bomb because the Home Guard used to practise there during the war.”
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