BOMB disposal experts were called to reports of a possible ammunition shell uncovered on a South East Cornwall beach.

The Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team, based at Devonport arrived at East Looe beach at lunchtime today where a suspicious item had been uncovered.

It is believed the object was a phosphorus flare.

Before the unit arrived a 100-metre cordon had been set up on the beach by members of the coastguard rescue team in Looe.

Around 200 people gathered at the scene to watch the team detonate the flare, using a small amount of explosive.

A call was also sent out by coastguards to all vessels in the area to stay clear of the detonation site.