BOMB disposal experts closed off a beach for several hours after suspected ordnance was found washed up.

Families had their walks disrupted after the Coastguard closed off a section of Chalkwell Beach, near Southend, following the discovery in the sand.

The beach was shut as a precaution for the safety of locals.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said the Southend Coastguard Rescue Team attended Westcliff-on-Sea following an emergency call reporting a sighting of a possible ordnance.

They added: “The Ministry Of Defence’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were informed, and they were in attendance in the afternoon with the Southend CRT to investigate further.”

Here are a few photos taken by Gaz De Vere:

Echo:

Echo:

Echo:

Echo:

After several hours, an MOD spokesperson said the possible small device was not found.

They said: "Extensive efforts were made to locate the object, but it was not found as it may have been moved by the tides.

"The risk to the public is very low.”

The incident came a week after eight items of unexpected ordnance were recovered from the beach.

Southend Coastguard was called to suspected ordnance which was spotted by one of the regular bait diggers.

READ MORE: Bomb disposal squads called to Westcliff beaches after eight ordnance items found