A controlled explosion was carried out near Chepstow on Monday (4th February) after a live artillery shell was found on the bank of the River Severn.

The rusted war relic, partially submerged in the mud, was discovered by an off-duty Coastguard crew member who was walking along the riverside on Sunday.

Plymouth Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) were alerted by Swansea coastguard and attended the scene. They completed a controlled explosion at 5.25pm on Monday.

HM Coastguard land rescue crews from Chepstow, Penarth, Sharpness and Barry attended the explosion as a precaution in case any EOD members became stuck in the treacherous mud along the river bank.

1 RIFLES, based in Beachley, were also notified of the incident.

The explosive device was found beside the lifeboat slipway at Beachley Point. The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), who are based at the point and launch from the slipway, were forced to postpone operations overnight. As a registered lifeboat station, the SARA crew are only allowed to close the slipway for less than 10 hours each year.

The device was a 12" x 6" artillery shell, but it is unclear just how old the weapon was.

"It wasn't a particularly big one, but it was very rusty and the best thing for everyone was to make it go away," said SARA station commander Merv Fleming.

Gloucestershire Police received the call at 5.45pm on Sunday and remained on duty throughout the night to monitor the area.

Another explosive device was found under the M48 bridge near Beachley last year. Swansea Coastguard said that an old firing range in the Bristol Channel has resulted in a number of unexploded weapons being found in this area.