Magnet fisherman sparks bomb scare after pulling unexploded Second World War bomb from riverbed

A magnet fisherman sparked a bomb scare after pulling an unexploded Second World War device from a riverbed.

Aaron Lewis, 22, was magnet fishing on a quiet stretch of thRiver Severn in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on Sunday morning when he discovered the shell.

Police set up a 160ft (50 metre) cordon around the area before the bomb was destroyed in a controlled blast by an Army explosive ordnance disposal team.

The find was the latest in a string of discoveries linked to magnet fishing, a hobby which involves using powerful, specially-designed magnets to sweep bodies of water for treasure.

Other recent finds have included a rusty sub-machine gun and unexploded hand grenades. In June, Martin Andrews, 43, and his son, Jack, 19, died while magnet fishing in Huddersfield after they fell into a canal.

Mr Lewis, from Cheltenham, said: “I've been magnet fishing for na couple of months now, but I've only ever pulled out things like old nails.

“I knew there was a possibility that I might one day pull out an old rifle or a knife or something, but I didn't expect to pull out something that might actually go off.

“I was fairly shocked. I used to be really into World War Two when I was a kid, so I knew what it was straight away - it was clearly recognisable.

“I just left everything and got away from the bank of the river.”

The mortar, which measured approximately 10ins by 3ins, was detonated at 12.30pm, roughly three-and-a-half hours after Mr Lewis pulled it from the water.

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman said the fire service and Severn Area Rescue Association were also called in to handle the situation.

Members of the public were urged to avoid the area, which is popular among dog-walkers and anglers, during the scare.

The spokesman said: “We'd like to thank the local community for their cooperation throughout this and the other emergency services for their assistance."

It follows a complaint by the Ministry of Defence in September that army “bomb squad” units were increasingly dealing with incidents linked to magnet fishing.

The Canal and Rivers Trust has also warned pulling up metal objects which have often gone undisturbed for years is “dangerous.”

The growth in popularity has been encouraged by celebrity enthusiasts including James Haskell, the England rugby player, who has shared videos of his finds on Instagram.