HOMES were rocked by a massive explosion as bomb disposal experts detonated a huge Second World War mine off the Clacton coastline.

Walton and Frinton Lifeboat transported a Royal Navy bomb disposal team to the site of the device, about half a mile off Holland Haven, last night.

Shocked residents reported hearing a massive explosion as the mine was detonated.

The 1400lb explosive had become snagged in a boat's fishing net.

Residents described hearing the blast.

James Young, of Keswick Avenue, Holland-on-Sea, said: "I was in the bath and the shockwave made the water ripple.

"It was some bang - it shook the house.

"Later I was talking to a neighbour in the supermarket and they had heard it."

Eric Jones, of Edison Road, said: "It was like a gas explosion - it was horrendous.

"I live 850 paces from the cliff-top and felt it in our first-floor apartment.

"There was just this bang that came out of the blue.

"This is a very solidly-built block of apartments, but it still shook us.

Gazette:

  • Walton and Frinton RNLI took part in the operation