RNLI lifeguards reported a suspected unexploded ordnance device on Summerleaze beach to the Coastguard on Sunday, June 10.

Bude Coastguard Rescue Team was paged at 5.17pm by Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC).

The lifeguards had been informed of the find by members of the public who had been scanning the beach with metal detectors and had subsequently dug up the suspicious object.

Having cleared the immediate area and informed the coastguard, the lifeguards sent images of the suspect device to the CGOC, and kept watch on the device until members of Bude CRT arrived.

After a quick look at the object, and with the images already in the hands of the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EODU) — who confirmed the object was suspicious and that they would be attending — Bude CRT contained the immediate area and then set up a larger cordon to make sure no members of the public or dogs approached the object.

With two members of the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team arriving at approximately 9.20pm, a few checks of the device revealed that it was not deemed to be an explosive threat.

The device itself though could not be identified so was recovered by the Bomb Disposal Team to be taken back to their base for further examination.

Once the device was off the beach, the cordon was lifted and the team was duly stood down.

Bude Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Our sincere thanks to our colleagues in the Bude Lifeboat crew for opening up their station to us for teas and coffees during our lengthy vigil!

“If you see a suspicious looking object on the beach, please do not touch it. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”