HOMES and businesses in the New Forest are being rocked by a major bomb disposal operation that villagers say began without warning.

A large number of mortars found at a First World War training area near Lyndhurst are being blown up in a series of controlled explosions.

About 50 blasts have taken place so far, including five yesterday.

One resident, Peter Moisan, 74, of Southampton Road, Lyndhurst, said: “The explosions are shaking our house. There are normally about 10 a day with a 20-minute interval after each bang.

“One was a whopper and resulted in at least ten people coming out of their homes to see what was happening.

“Everyone's wondering what's going on but no-one has told us anything. Fifty explosions and no explanation is not good.”

Fellow Lyndhurst resident Eileen Blondel said: “No-one locally appears to have been forewarned by the authorities or told the reason why these explosions are being carried out.”

Kevin Winch, who owns Honeyfords Country Butchers in Lyndhurst, added: “I've got a large plate glass window that vibrates every time. A couple of people have come into the shop and asked what the noise was.”

A Forestry Commission spokesman said World War One ordnance was found at Matley, near Lyndhurst, by a member of the public.

“Over the past few weeks military bomb disposal experts have been locating the ordnance and making it safe,” he said. “At one point Matley was used as a mortar training range and the ordnance may date from this time.”

An MoD spokesman said the Canadian munitions were being removed at the request of the Commission.

He added that the police, the fire brigade and the district council were informed every time explosions were due to take place.