A GUN shell was found in the garden of a beachside caravan.

A member of the public at Freshwater Holiday Park at Burton Bradstock reported the item to coastguards at 1.39pm on Thursday.

Details were taken and advice was given to keep well clear.

As the item was above the high water mark, responsibility for its subsequent co-ordination and safe disposal was passed to Dorset Police.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed they had received a report at around 1.45pm.

She said: “The immediate area was evacuated and a cordon was put in place.

“We got in contact with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and the item appeared to be an old, rusty, large unspent shell.

“The EOD arrived at about 4pm. They picked up the item and took it away.”