MUM-OF-four Natacha Marchesi was shocked when the World War Two bomb her partner discovered in their garden sparked panic in Poole on Wednesday morning.

The family had only just moved into their new home in Farnham Road, Branksome, when Gary Symonds, who was in the Army for 12 years, found the foot-long mortar round lying underneath an overgrown bush.

Mr Symonds, 43, who had a brief spell with the Army's bomb disposal squad in Northern Ireland, examined the rusty bomb and was satisfied his family was in no danger, so his partner placed it in a plastic carrier bag and put it in a kitchen cupboard.

The couple decided not to take the heavy shell to the police because they were expecting a visit from their housing officer who arrived on Wednesday morning.

As the housing officer took the bomb away with him in the boot of his car he telephoned the police to let them know what he had.

He was told to stop immediately where he was in Winston Avenue and get away from the vehicle.

Minutes later the road was sealed off and the Royal Navy bomb disposal team was called in to carry out a controlled explosion on nearby heathland.

Horrified Miss Marchesi said: "I was really shocked and I couldn't understand what the fuss was about.

"If my partner had been the slightest bit worried he would have got me and the children out of the house.

"I feel dreadful for the poor housing officer. When he picked it up to take away with him he even joked 'if you hear a big bang and sirens you'll know it's me'." The police cordoned off Winston Avenue and some residents, who were told to leave their homes, took refuge in Rossmore Leisure Centre.

Pupils at St Aldhelm's were kept inside the building on the advice of police and cars were also prevented from entering the road for more than two-and-a-half hours.

First published: October 22