PART of Colchester had to be cordoned off after an unexploded mortar shell was found at a building site.

Police set up a 100m cordon in Mersea Road following reports two unexploded mortar bombs and ammunition had been discovered.

Officers from Essex Police were called at about 3pm and kept the area sealed off until about 4.20pm today.

The bomb disposal team from Colchester Troop, 621 Squadron, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps was called out to the site of the former Meeanee Barracks, in Mersea Road, Colchester, just after 3.30pm.

The alarm had been raised after builders dug up a suspected item of munitions.

On inspection, it was found to be an inert Second World War-vintage two-inch mortar bomb.

“It was recovered for safe disposal and the all-clear was given at 4.20pm An Army spokesman said: "The builders did exactly the right thing in calling the police as soon as they found the items and not moving them.

“We would encourage people to raise the alarm if they do have concerns about any suspect items they find.

“It is better to be safe than sorry."

This time last month the site was shut down after similar devices were found and exploded on site.

Builders at the Taylor Wimpey site have had to stop work repreatedly in recent years after explosive devices were discovered at the former home of Second Battalion. The Parachute Regiment.