A SHOCKED dad has told of the moment a bomb squad rushed to his property after a mass of Second World War items were dug up in his garden.

Sam Rodway was working when he was told by landscapers digging at his house in Bromley Road, Colchester, they had found bullets and a live grenade in his garden.

The 33-year-old explained when he jumped in his car to race home he was thinking: “Oh my God, my house is going to blow up”.

But despite all the drama, Mr Rodway admitted now the initial concern has passed he thinks what happened on Tuesday makes for a “pretty cool story”.

Gazette: Discovery - grenades, ammunition and other Second World War items were dug upDiscovery - grenades, ammunition and other Second World War items were dug up

He said: “The bomb squad came and told us and our neighbours to evacuate. They carried on digging and found a sack full of explosives and another full of bullets.”

As an investigation into how the lethal devices became buried in the garden was carried out, it transpired a 94-year-old former owner of the property had buried it there aged 17, in 1945.

Mr Rodway, who only moved into the house with partner Yasmeen Beeharry in February, said: “It’s something you don’t ever expect to happen.

“We’ve recently had a newborn baby and that’s what heightened the concern, I thought I just had to get everyone out. I feared my family were in danger.

Gazette: Shocked - Yasmeen Beeharry and Sam RodwayShocked - Yasmeen Beeharry and Sam Rodway

“It was a strange experience but looking back at it, it’s a pretty cool story.”

But the drama continued on Wednesday evening when Mr Rodway returned to his home to find yet another grenade in his garden.

A bomb squad had to return to ensure the area was safe after the shock discovery.

Gazette: Find - a grenade found on WednesdayFind - a grenade found on Wednesday

Neighbour Will Reinhardt said he was “surprised and shocked” when he was told to evacuate his property.

An Army spokesman said: “We can confirm an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Colchester Garrison was called out to attend an incident at Bromley Road, Colchester.

“Upon inspection, various Second World War-vintage grenades, mortars and ammunition were found in the garden of the property. The items were recovered by the team for safe disposal.”