WW2 device sparks recycling centre evacuation

News imageGoogle A car entering a recycling centre along a road lined with traffic cones.Google
The recycling centre reopened after emergency services safely removed the suspected wartime device

A recycling centre in Shropshire was evacuated after a member of the public dropped off a suspected World War Two explosive device.

Hortonwood Recycling Centre in Telford was temporarily closed on Tuesday after the item was discovered on site.

The centre later reopened, with Telford and Wrekin Council confirming at 13:15 BST that it had resumed normal operations.

Veolia, which operates the site, said staff followed safety procedures after the suspected wartime ordnance was brought to the centre.

"We can confirm that Hortonwood Recycling Centre was evacuated this morning as a precautionary measure after a suspected WW2 ordnance was dropped off by a member of the public," a spokesperson said.

"Our team on site acted quickly in line with our established safety procedures and contacted the emergency services, who removed the item for safe disposal."

The company apologised for any disruption and reminded residents to contact police if they discover potentially explosive items rather than taking them to a recycling centre.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.