THE discovery of a dangerous cache of Second World War grenades will not hold up work at Swanage’s seafront stabilisation scheme, it has been confirmed.

Three workers were taken to hospital after a 20-tonne excavator ignited the phosphorus grenades on Monday.

All three were checked by medics and were back at work yesterday.

Two of the devices, known as number 76 special incendiary(SIP) grenades, were ignited.

One of those taken to hospital was Rob Hayman of Raymond Brown Construct-ion, who called the emergency services and evacuated the site.

He said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to the emergency services and the Royal Logistics Corps’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment for their quick action on site.”

Emergency services placed a cordon around Shore Road and work was halted after the explosives were discovered during excavation work at 3pm.

Officers from the Royal Logistics Corps’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment were back on scene yesterday to ensure no more ordnance was present.

A British Army spokesman confirmed that the scene was now safe.