AN army bomb disposal team has detonated a small hand grenade in a Bournemouth playing field this afternoon.

Members of the squad carried out the controlled explosion in the field in East Way near the BH Live Active Sir David English sports centre.

Bournemouth Echo:

According to bomb disposal squad, a small grenade was found in somebody's garage.

Dorset Police said at 10.44am this morning, they received reports a WW2 hand grenade had been found by a member of the public while clearing out a relative’s garage

A spokesperson said the army bomb disposal team was then called. Members of the public were still allowed to walk through the field up until the point the grenade was securely taken to the centre of the field and detonated.

Shortly after 2pm, the signal was given to detonate the device. Residents and passers-by gathered to watch the explosion following the call of 'standby' and 'firing'. 

There was a dramatic scene as the explosion happened, with a loud bang heard in the surrounding area and sandbags thrown across the field. 

Bournemouth Echo: