A MAJOR campaign warning of the dangers of explosive materials washed up along the Dorset coast was launched today.

Coastguards are backing the scheme by military chiefs warning people of the potentially-lethal objects.

Parents and children are being urged by Royal Navy divers to stay away from unusual metal or plastic items which could be unexploded bombs, mines or flares.

The warning is being issued in time for the start of the holiday season when families flock to Dorset's coastline and young children start digging on the beaches.

Lieutenant Dave Welch of Southern Diving Unit 2 based in Portsmouth and responsible for bomb disposal across the country, has issued instructions on what to do if suspicious items are found on beaches.

He urged people not to touch any strange object, but make a note of its location, warn others and call police or the coastguard.

He added: "Parents, please don't let your children pick up any strange metal or plastic objects from the beach.

"Before you give that old stone a kick, it could be a hand grenade with the pin rusted through and it will take your leg off."

Portland Coastguard said spent shells and ammunition from the Second World War and recent military exercises still litter the Dorset seabed.

The munitions, some explosive, are thought to be washed ashore when fishing vessels trawl the seabed and accidentally dislodge them.

Coastguard watch manager Derek Beacon warned people of shells, ammunition and even rockets which can be found on the coastline.

He said: "We get the occasional mine and empty shells washed up but even if they are spent they can be dangerous."

"If you come across anything from the beach which is vaguely unfamiliar you should notify coastguards or police immediately and you mustn't touch them."

Bomb disposal experts are also highlighting the dangers of phosphorous flares which explode if exposed to air.

They said the potentially deadly objects could be covered in mud and weeds and could cause serious injury if uncovered.

And even if dormant for long periods, phosphorous flares remain explosive and get more dangerous as they dry, experts warned.

They added that one flare could mean there are more and urged people to keep away.

Scuba divers are also warned of the hazards of examining shipwrecks off the coast.

Lieutenant Welch said: "All explosives remain dangerous in seawater. The metal casing may corrode, but the explosive becomes unstable and dangerous with time."

Royal Navy bomb disposal squads were called out 226 times last year. They successfully disposed of seven mines, 65 high explosive shells and other dangerous flares and hand grenades.