Hartlepool metal detectorist found what 'looked like a black rusty pipe' but turned out to be Second World War mortar

Shaun Cameron came across the device buried just underneath the sand near the Sandy coach and car park early on Tuesday, June 9.

Its discovery sparked a call out by the army's bomb disposal team and police closed the beach while the round was examined before being taken away to be disposed off.

Luckily, it was not live.

Shaun, 37, had just finished a night shift at Hodgson Fish and was scanning the beach with friend Carl Hope when he found the round.

He said: “Me and my pal went to the beach for an hour and I noticed it on the surface. It looked like a black rusty pipe.

“I was curious to see what it was, the barrel had numbers on it.

“I tapped the rust and the crust fell off and it revealed itself.

“It was quite nerve-racking to see it there. I phoned the police and moved back.

“I made sure no one went near it till the police took charge.”

Shaun found the device near the high water mark on the beach and believes it had been pushed up the beach by the tide after being dislodged by a strong wave.

He is a member of metal detecting group the North East Searchers and normally covers farmland.

But due to the current ban on large outdoor gatherings, he has been visiting Hartlepool's beaches more frequently.

Shaun, of Rift House, added: “Normally I find old bullet cases and bits of cases but this is the first time I have found a hole one.”

Previous finds also include coins dating back to the 1100’s and an unknown local Saxon burial site with skeletons and broaches.

Tuesday’s incident was dealt with by the Royal Logistics Bomb Disposal.

After being deemed safe, the device was taken back to its base in Catterick, North Yorkshire, for disposal.

The beach was reopened shortly after 10am.

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