UPDATE: Police find 18th century explosives in Southsea cemetery
An 18th century '˜piece of historic ordnance' has been found in a Southsea cemetery this morning, police have confirmed.
Officers were called at 10.10am today after the find at Highland Road Cemetery in Southsea.
A cordon was set up and a stretch of Highland Road was closed for more than an hour.
Explosive experts from the Royal Navy’s Southern Diving Unit 2, based on Horsea Island, have been called in to deal with the device.
It is believed the find could be ammunition.
A police statement said: ‘The EOD has confirmed that the piece of historic ordnance at Highland Road cemetery is from the 18th century.
‘As a result the cordon has been lifted and the road has been reopened.
‘Officers will remain at the scene until EOD arrive to remove the ordnance.
‘We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation while we deal with this incident.’
This is the bomb squad’s second call of the day. Earlier they were dealing with a situation in Shoreham, West Sussex, a Royal Navy spokeswoman said.