BUILDERS who found an unexploded bomb in West Melton at the weekend had pictures with it before contacting police.

At about noon on Saturday, builders working on a Jehovah’s Witness hall behind houses on Barnsley Road came across the shell.

The bomb squad arrived a few hours later and found it to be empty. It is believed to be a Second World War bomb.

Roads and paths around the site were closed by police and nearby residents told to stay in the front of their houses, in case it exploded.

Ron Upperdine, the groundwork overseer, said: “At first, we just thought it was a piece of cast iron pipe. When we looked closer we realised it couldn’t be. Our reaction was one of shock and surprise when we realised.

“Some of the lads got photos with it and then we realised the repercussions and it was a little bit scary.”

Georgina Hill, 23, of Barnsley Road, overlooks the site at the back of her house. She said: “The police knocked on my door and said to get the children evacuated because there was a bomb around the back.

“It really scared me and the kids were screaming.”

Becky Love, 20, of Barnsley Road, said: “The kids were crying, they thought they were going to die. I found it all quite exciting – it started people taking about the blitz.”

Clair Rhodes, 33, of Barnsley Road, said: “I stayed inside, at the front of the house, because we were told if it popped it would take the back windows out.”

A police spokesman confirmed the bomb was a hollow dud.