More than 170 practice bombs from World War II have been unearthed beneath a children's playground in Wooler, Northumberland, raising concern that more may remain undiscovered. Initially found during renovation work at Scotts Park playground, officials quickly enlisted Brimstone Site Investigations, a company specializing in unexploded ordnance, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the area.

The survey began on January 23, shortly after a worker uncovered a suspicious object on January 14. Initially, it appeared to be a minor issue; however, the situation escalated dramatically when authorities identified 65 practice bombs that each weighed approximately 10 pounds, along with smoke cartridges, on the first day of investigation. The following day yielded an additional 90 bombs, raising the total count to 176. The local council confirmed that these bombs were still equipped with fuses and contained potentially hazardous materials, despite being classified as practice bombs meant for training purposes.

According to Mark Mather, a parish councilor in Wooler, the playground area was once a training ground for the Home Guard during the war, thus explaining the presence of buried ordnance. He expressed shock at the situation, stating, "It's quite something to think the children have been playing on bombs." The discovery has led to increased safety protocols, as the local council aims to conduct a thorough clearance of the park to ensure no remnants remain.

Officials indicated that clearing the site is a meticulous process. With about half of the playground already examined, concerns remain that more explosives could still be hidden beneath the surface. The Northumberland County Council hopes that once the area is deemed safe, renovation work can resume by April, allowing children to return to the playground without risk. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed their involvement, having already sent specialists to assist with bomb disposal.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the lingering dangers from wartime activities, as unexploded ordnance found in other locations across Europe has led to similar safety concerns. In one instance, a WWII bomb detonated in Japan last fall, demonstrating the potential hazards posed by such buried explosives. Local authorities are committed to resolving the situation as quickly and safely as possible to restore public confidence in the area.

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