An industrial estate has been evacuated after a blast involving suspected hand grenades.

Excavation work was taking place at Rotherwas Industrial Estate in Hereford before the blast on Wednesday.

West Mercia Police said “suspected phosphorus grenades” were discovered at the site. They were found close to a former World War Two munitions factory.

A 200m cordon was put in place and several homes and businesses evacuated, although no injuries were reported.

People have been told to avoid the area while police and a bomb disposal team remove any further grenades.
Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious and the cordon is “a matter of precaution”.

Roads are closed from Fir Tree Lane at the junction of The Straight Mile, Skylon View Road at the junction of Beech Lane, and a public footpath running from the north of the city to the estate.