Wirral recycling centre evacuated after bomb is found

Oct 20 2010 by Gemma Jaleel, Liverpool Echo

THE BOMB squad were called to a waste disposal site in Wirral after a live explosive was discovered.

Police hurried to evacuate the area over fears the bomb would detonate and a cordon was set up at the Bidston Recycling Centre around 11.40am yesterday.

The centre was closed and members of the public hoping to drop off their household waste were told to go to alternative centres.

The device was identified as an illume mortar, also known as an illumination mortar round, which is usually used to reveal the location of enemy forces hidden by darkness.

It was dropped off as part of yesterday’s recycling delivery.

Emergency services were called after staff spotted the explosive.

After an assessment of the device the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit were called to site. The mortar had been spent, but some of the explosive material still remained.