A LIVE parachute mine has been safely detonated near Weymouth Harbour after becoming accidentally caught in the nets of a fishing boat.

Portland Coastguards were alerted to a live parachute mine on board Cara Lee, which had been coming into Weymouth Bay just before 2pm on Saturday.

The crew told coastguards that they had netted what they thought was a bouncing bomb on deck.

Photos were sent to the military Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit (EODU), who then attended the boat and confirmed the object to be a live parachute mine.

The mine was then lowered carefully onto the seabed in a pre-designated safe position and was detonated at 3pm on Sunday.

After the Harbour Master checked the circumference areas were clear, the signal was given and controls were activated.

A mobile team from the Wyke coastguards also arrived to observe the detonation.

A spokesman at the Portland Coastguard service said: “Instances like this happen once or twice a year at most and there is no cause for concern.

The mine has been safely detonated in a designated area.”

Holidaymakers from Worcester, Paul Lines, 51 and his wife Denise, 49, were there to see the detonation and said: “We've been staying in Weymouth for the past week on holiday and have never seen anything like this before.”

Mike Channon, president of the Weymouth Angling Society, added: “I saw something like this a few years ago in Chesil Cove and the detonation blew water at least 20 foot into the air, it was fantastic to see.

“Although as far as I'm aware instances like this are rare in Weymouth and I don't often hear about them.”

Colin and Geraldine Graham, holidaymakers from Leicester, said: “We haven't heard of anything like this before although at least the mine will be detonated safely. You don't often hear of parachute mines anymore.”

Parachute mines were intended to be dropped on land targets by aircraft. They were heavily used by German Luftwaffe bombers and initially Royal Navy Bomber Command in World War II.