A mortar bomb dating from the World War Two period was excavated and disposed of at a building site in Norton yesterday (Friday).

The bomb was discovered in a top soil heap by James Stone, who was working for Wigwam Architecture and Build, on the site off Scarborough Road  at 10.30am.

Ben Stone, a director at the company, said: "Malton Police were in attendance all day ensuring a safe perimeter was maintained until the arrival of the MOD bomb disposal experts.

"The bomb was in a state of decay and they could not confidently identify the contents of the mortar bomb, so the experts decided to carry out a controlled explosion at approximately 4.30pm to destroy it with PCSO Geoff Wynn invited to press the detonator.

"The MOD experts examined the remaining casing and confirmed it was a mortar bomb of the type used for training of the Home Guard or similar.

"The Army officers in attendance confirmed that Wigwam Architecture and build could continue construction safely."

Ben said: "We have suffered approximately 220 lost man days building due to Covid 19 secondary contact isolations and the six week lockdown, never could we have imagined we would have a further shutdown due to a bomb."

"We are very grateful to the Malton Police officers and the MOD experts from Catterick Garrison for very professionally managing the situation."

Ben sent Today at 12:55