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.