WAR RELIC: The shells found near Middleton-in-Teesdale last week
WAR RELIC: The shells found near Middleton-in-Teesdale last week

BOMB disposal experts were called in after two explosive devices were found in an upper dale beck.

The bombs, about one foot in length and thought to be remnants of the Second World War, were discovered in Hudeshope Beck, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, by a local walker on Wednesday, January 10.

Police attended the scene and Army explosive ordnance disposal officers removed the devices the following morning. Insp Ed Turner, of Barnard Castle Police, said the devices were not live and the officers took them back to Catterick Army base for disposal.

People living nearby were shocked by the discovery.

Beryl Banks, who has lived there for more than 18 years, said a lot of people walked in the area and was surprised they had not been discovered before. She added: “I mean all the kids play down there, and the bikers go down.”

Mrs Banks said she also frequently walks her dog Tilly, along the beck. She said: “It is amazing. The sheep were in here and they were rounding them up yesterday.

“And here’s me thinking I am safe up here if there was a war, not.”

Mrs Banks said she believed bombs had previously been found further up the valley in the time she had lived there.

It is not clear how the shells got there but Teesdale was used for Army training during the war.