A single hand grenade which is likely WW2 era was found at Shoebury rail depot today.

British Transport Police officers were called this morning to a report of a suspected WW2 grenade found at Shoebury railway depot.

The depot was evacuated while specialist units attended to assess the object.

Trains to and from Shoebury were also suspended between Southend Central and Shoebury as officers dealt with the incident.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed it was in attendance at the incident today and identified a single hand grenade. 

Read more >>> c2c trains suspended in Shoebury as emergency services deal with incident

An MoD spokesman said: “We can confirm an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called out to the Shoebury rail depot at the request of British Transport Police.

"A single hand grenade, likely World War 2 era, was identified and safely recovered for subsequent disposal.

"All further queries should be directed to the police."

Arriva Bus was conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice and the company accepted c2c rail tickets for the journeys.

Customers may be entitled to compensation if their journey was disrupted by more than 15 minutes.