Bomb disposal officers called in after empty explosive shell is found at Royal Navy base HMS Sultan

The piece of ordnance was discovered on land near Military Road, by HMS Sultan at 11.59am today.

Police closed of Military Road, between Cambridge Road and Redhouse Park Gardens while navy bomb disposal teams attempted to disarm the devices.

The road has since been re-opened.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire police told The News: ‘We were called at 11.59am today to a report of unexploded ordnance being found on land near Military Road in Gosport.

‘Officers have put a cordon in place and EOD have been called.’

Gosport police has urged people – drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike – to ‘avoid these areas until further notice’.

But a spokesman for HMS Sultan said the item was harmless.

He added: ‘We can confirm that ordnance was discovered at HMS Sultan. A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was called into conduct an investigation.

‘Working in conjunction with Hampshire Constabulary, HMS Sultan took the decision to close Military Road.

‘Upon investigation the items were identified as empty Second World War shells and as they posed no risk, Military Road was promptly reopened.

HMS Sultan is the Royal Navy’s main engineering training hub, home to hundreds of sailors.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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