AN unxploded eartime bomb near east Tilbury is set to be blown up today (Friday, 8 November).

The World War Two ordnance was discovered on a construction site off Station Road at around 11.30am on Tuesday, 5 November.

Since that time, officers have managed a cordon at the scene and worked with partners from multiple agencies to make the area safe. This allowed experts from the Ministry of Defence to assess the ordnance.

This around-the-clock assessment was made more complex by the underground location of the device.

It has been established there is no wider risk to the public and experts plan to execute a controlled explosion between 12 noon and 2pm today.

This will cause some temporary disruption to the nearby road and rail network.

A 500-metre cordon is in place around the site, which will bring temporary road closures in place in the nearby Station Road, Church Road, Coopers Shaw Road and Fort Road.

A statement from Essex says: "We would ask the public to observe this cordon and avoid the area.

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"As a precaution, this operation will require the temporary closing of the nearby c2c railway line between Grays and Pitsea.

"Short notice disruption and cancelations on the line from London to Southend, via Ockendon, is expected between 11.30am and around 3pm. Check before you travel and visit the National Rail Enquiries website for the latest on any disruption.

Chief Inspector Anthony Atkin, Thurrock district police commander, added: "This discovery was made on a fairly remote construction site and as such the impact on the wider community has, so far, been minimal.

"All the proper procedures were immediately followed to ensure there was a wide enough cordon in place to protect the public.

"Experts were swiftly on the scene and have been working hard to ascertain the safest and most efficient means of disposing of this ordnance.

"This will mean there is a controlled explosion and this will have a temporary impact on the nearby rail and road network.

"These measures are a crucial precaution to ensure the safety of the public.

"Those in the vicinity may hear a short-lived bang, rest-assured this is anticipated and planned.

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"This is a rare occurrence, but I would thank the public for their patience while this work is carried out."