UK Coastguard cordon off Sandsend Beach, Whitby after ordnance is found (UPDATED)

Just after 2pm yesterday (25 July) UK Coastguard were called by a member of the public reporting ordnance at Sandsend Beach, near Whitby, Yorkshire.

 Whitby and Skinningrove Coastguard Rescue Teams have set up a 100m cordon around the ordnance to ensure the public are kept at a safe distance.  The Local Council have suspended parking in that area until further notice and North Yorkshire Police are also on scene assisting.

 Adam Turner, Senior Coastguard Operations Officer for UK Coastguard said:  'We won't know exactly what we are dealing with until the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team arrive later this morning.  Until that time, we have taken measures to set up a cordon and clear that area of the beach to keep the public safe.  We are appealing to people to stay from this area until it has been declared safe by EOD.

 'We have no further information at this time but we will hopefully provide an update after the EOD team have assessed the situation.'

 UPDATE - At 4.30pm today (26 July) EOD recovered the top of a mine after being called to investigate suspected ordnance at Whitby. The rest had corroded away and thankfully no detonation was needed. The cordon is being removed and all teams are being stood down.

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