RESIDENTS in Seaham were put on alert this morning after workmen uncovered a World War II hand grenade.

The discovery was made shortly before 9am, while excavation works were being carried out on a grassed area behind Hawthorn Square in the town.

A police spokesman said: "On the advice of bomb disposal experts at Catterick Garrison a 100m cordon was established and the occupants of around 30 nearby houses were informed they may need to be evacuated.

"A road closure was also put in place and a venue identified as a reception area should people be away from their houses for some time."

Shortly before half-past ten a team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squadron arrived at the scene and quickly established the grenade was not live.

After they recovered the device the cordon and road closures were lifted and work on the site has now resumed.