A suspected explosive device has been found in a river.

Police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts are currently on scene at the River Frome, Dorchester, carrying out assessments of the device which was found in the water shortly before midday. 

Stephen Hill, 28, found the object, believed at this stage to be an anti-tank shell, whilst cleaning up the river on Lubbecke Way in the county town.

Mr Hill regularly fishes using a high-powered magnet for his Youtube Channel 'Mad Hatter Magnet Fishing'.

He uses the magnet for environmental reasons to pick up bottles, glass and litter from the river.

Dorset Echo: Police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are on the scene at the River Frome in DorchesterPolice and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are on the scene at the River Frome in Dorchester (Image: Tom Lawrence)

He said it was a "shock" finding the suspected explosive device but it was not his first experience.

He said: "It is not my first experience of finding an explosive, I had a grenade in the past so I know about it to a degree.

"It is quite scary though because you never know when it may go off

"It is quite an exciting find but it does shut the whole day down afterwards.

"I believe it is an anti-tank shell, I have alerted the police of course."

The bomb squad has been spending this afternoon digging a hole in a nearby field to detonate the device in a controlled manner.