Police are searching the area for further devices

The 12-inch-long devices were discovered by a passer-by on the downs near Niton on Wednesday afternoon.

The area around Undercliffe Road was sealed off while Royal Navy bomb disposal experts - Explosives Ordnance Disposal - carried out controlled explosions.

Detective Inspector Alison Scott, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Intelligence checks have found no known links to any form of terrorism.

"In addition, forensic checks today have failed to find any material that would have caused an explosion."

9/11 second anniversary

Detective Inspector Scott said the police were acutely aware that it was the second anniversary of the terrorist atrocities in the United States on Thursday and were "very keen to establish what the objects contained".

"I am pleased to confirm they (the pipe bombs) were non-viable," she added.

A police spokesman said: "At 1447 BST on Wednesday a member of the public contacted police to report the finding of a suspicious object in the downs near Niton, Isle of Wight.

"Three pipe-shaped objects about 12 inches by two inches have been made safe by the OED using controlled explosions."

Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen someone digging at Niton Down between 3 September and 10 September, or who may have seen anyone in that area between 1445 BST and 1600 BST on Wednesday 10 September, to contact them immediately.