UNDERWATER explosives experts are being called in, amid fears that a wrecked ammunitions ship may be breaking up, releasing its lethal cargo off the North-East coast.

A plea for help is being sent to the head of the Ministry of Defence's underwater survey team, after the fourth, corroded bomb to be washed up on beaches in three weeks was blown up by a bomb disposal team.

Just two weeks ago, Royal Navy divers blew up a First World War shell after it was washed up on Saltburn beach; its discovery leading to the forced evacuation of the town's pier and sea front.

Dave Horsley, chairman of the North East Static and Trawl Society, said: "It certainly needs looking into. There is always the possibility that there is an old wreck breaking up and the stuff on board coming ashore.

"There will be records of what ships have been lost and if there were ships carrying munitions down there, that wants checking.''

An official survey three years ago plotted 97 wrecks off the coast between Easington and Newbiggin alone.

Mr Horsley said: "In our immediate area there are hundreds of wrecks lying off shore and the bulk of them are wartime.''

Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, says he is calling in the Ministry of Defence, inviting Rear Admiral John Clarke, head of the Royal Navy's hydropgraphics department, to investigate.

He explained: "I am concerned we may well have a ship, which carried munitions down the east coast in the First World War and which may have been torpedoed or sunk, may be breaking up and losing its cargo. "In addition, older people in this area say ammunition was dumped off the Teesside coast immediately after the last war. I understand these munitions were in steel containers and I am worried these containers may also be breaking up as well.

"In the meantime I would urge everyone to exercise caution on the beaches if they see any strange metal objects.''

Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, pledged to write to the MoD for a progress report on investigations.