POLICE in Charlton were called out today to reports of an unexploded Second World War bomb - which turned out to be a gas cylinder.
The device was found during building work behind Anchor and Hope Lane, police say.
The Met's explosive ordinance disposal team was dispatched to the scene, believed to be to the rear of the Charlton Gate Business Park
Workers and customers of stores on neighbouring Stone Lake Retail Park were also evacuated for more than two hours while police cordoned off parts of the area.
But the reported bomb turned out to be a gas cylinder, which was removed from the scene.
What was bad for the retailers was good news for nearby boozers the Antigallican and Hope and Anchor, which saw a busier than usual lunchtime trade.
Antigallican barman Tom Hopkins: "When I came in it was pretty much full up with all the workers from round here."
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