Recycling centre shut after military shell dumped

A recycling centre is Devon was shut after a military tank shell was found dumped, a council said.

Devon County Council said the device was put in a non-recyclable waste container at the centre in Ivybridge and the person who brought it on Tuesday morning left before staff could speak to him.

People were evacuated from the facility, which was closed for about an hour, while police removed the item safely. No-one was injured, officials said.

They added they were urging residents "to take extra care when clearing out sheds, garages and lofts" and to "think carefully before taking items to recycling centres, particularly if they are old, unlabelled, or look like they could present a risk".

Staff at other recycling sites had previously found unexploded ordnance, marine flares, old ammunition, and containers holding unknown chemicals, the council said.

Each time it happened "emergency services have to be called, and it disrupts the public's use of the facilities", it added.

Jacqi Hodgson, council cabinet member responsible for waste services, said the incident was "particularly frustrating, given that only last week the discovery World War Two munitions in Exmouth and Plymouth caused evacuations".

She added: "Why would you think it is okay to put a tank shell in a skip and walk away?

"If there's any doubt, speak to staff first - don't just throw it into a bay.

"Items such as flares, fireworks, or ammunition must never be brought to our recycling centres."

The incident comes on the same day that a large section of a retail park in Swindon was temporarily evacuated after suspected ammunition was reportedly handed in to a charity shop.

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