Bomb experts from Catterick were called to the Thornaby area of Stockton, following the discovery of unexploded devices.

The suspect devices were found just before 0900 GMT on Wednesday on a construction site in Sun Street.

Reclamation work has been going on in the area for some time.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said the immediate area had been made safe and that nearby properties were not being evacuated.

Thornaby Road was closed at Lanehouse Road towards the busy A66, which itself was closed for a time.

The police spokesman said that so far 12 shells, some three feet in length, had been uncovered and more are thought to be buried in the mud.

He said they would be taken away for disposal by the Army bomb squad.