157 WWII-era Munitions Removed from Site of Future UK Playground

Northumberland, England Construction work on a playground in Wooler has been halted by the discovery WWII-era bombs. Contractors were forced to stop work just one week after the project kickoff after workers uncovered a "suspicious object" while digging the foundations for the park.

Northumbria Police were called in after discovery of what appeared to be an artillery shell. The bomb disposal squad from Catterick Barracks was called in to confirm that it was a WWII training device which they removed for safe disposal.

Unfortunately, as soon was work resumed, another ordnance was found. The UK Ministry of Defence advised that a full site survey would be required. Once experts began the investigation, they soon realized the large scale of the playground problem.

On day one of remediation efforts, 65 10-lb practice bombs were recovered from an area less than one square meter. On the second day, an additional 90 practice bombs were found, for a total of 157.

The area was once the site of a Home Guard training area during the war.

Mark Mather, who represents Wooler on Northumberland County Council, said, "I was pleased to be able to secure the £138,099 (approximately 171,000 US dollars) funding from the county council's regeneration scheme towards the fully inclusive playpark. Last week's findings are a huge setback to the project, and I would like to thank Wooler Parish Council for their professionalism in dealing with the issue. I will continue to work with the Parish Council to see where additional funds could come from to ensure this project can continue despite the findings of the survey."