AN unexploded World War Two shell, which was disturbed by contractors working on a lake, caused havoc in Wanstead on Friday afternoon.

Roads had to be closed off for two-and-a-half hours and people told to keep indoors after the discovery of the 20lb anti-aircraft bomb on Wanstead Flats on the Wanstead/Leytonstone border.

Police and the fire brigade were called when a JCB driver for contractor Hugh Pearl, which is working on a project to reline the Lakehouse Lake and turn it into a wildlife pond, scooped up the bomb in a pile of mud.

It was moved twice more before workmen realised what the mud-caked object was.

Police and fire engines arrived around 2pm and closed all surrounding roads. Firemen with loudspeakers told residents to get indoors and stay there, but a curious few wandered the streets trying to get a peek.

The closeness of the lake to the road meant the bomb had to be moved inwards to behind a large sand mound, as policemen scoured the area to ensure no-one was nearby.

Bemused commuters returing home and schoolchildren coming back from school, oblivious to the cause of the commotion, were shouted at through speakers to cross the road and move away from the area.

The Met's bomb disposal unit arrived and carried out a controlled explosion at around 4.30pm, and the roads were reopened.

According to one resident a similar shell was found by the lake seven years ago and because of the size and openness of the area, various large outdoor events are held on it.

Caroline John, of Ramsay Road, Leytonstone, said: "I found it very exciting but my daughter was very frightened. There was a fair a couple of weeks ago and a circus before that. There is always stuff happening on the flats."

Another resident said: "I reckon there are lots of these shells on the flats because there was a gun battery based here in the war."

July 18, 2002 13:00