AN UNEXPLODED bomb found in heathland near a popular Purbeck beach was detonated in a controlled explosion by an Army unit.

The 500lb (226.8kg) device from the Second World War was discovered on heathland between Ferry Road, Studland and the Little Sea Lagoon, north of Studland Village on Monday.

A Dorset Police spokesman said the bomb disposal team alerted them at 2.47pm on Monday and police officers guarded the bomb overnight ‘to ensure it would not be touched by the public.’ Yesterday, the unit assembled their equipment and a controlled explosion with a 1,000-metre safety cordon took place.

The road linking the village of Studland and the chain ferry to Sandbanks, Poole, was closed for almost half an hour.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “A 1,000m safety cordon was put in place around the bomb just after 2pm and the police helicopter ensured the area was completely clear of people.

“The cordon was enforced by police, National Trust and Army bomb disposal team resources.”