Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on a World War II artillery shell in a garden at Brideoak Street, Leigh, after it was unearthed yesterday. was found in the back garden of a house in Leigh.

A controlled explosion was carried out rear yards of houses on Brideoak Street after workmen unearthed the shell at about 4.30pm yesterday.

Police cordoned off the immediate area and experts from the Bomb Disposal Unit examined the shell before removing it to open land in the Higher Folds area of Leigh.

A controlled explosion was carried out to destroy the shell which turned out to be harmless.

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