BOMB disposal experts were today called to an area of heathland in Ipswich after an unexploded World War II hand grenade was found.The rusty explosive was discovered by a member of the public while out on an early morning stroll in Purdis Heath, just off Purdis Farm Lane, near Bucklesham, at just after 8am.

BOMB disposal experts were today called to an area of heathland in Ipswich after an unexploded World War II hand grenade was found.

The rusty explosive was discovered by a member of the public while out on an early morning stroll in Purdis Heath, just off Purdis Farm Lane, near Bucklesham, at just after 8am.

The three to four inch long grenade had laid undiscovered for more than five decades.

Army bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene at just after 11am and were waiting for police to arrive to ensure the area was clear before they carried out a controlled explosion.

Captain Rich Hallett of the Royal Logistic Corps based at Colchester said: "We were alerted by the police that an unexploded item has been found by a member of the public.

"Having examined the ammunition we decided it was safe to remove the grenade from the wooded area and it has been placed securely in our van.

"It was very rusty and corrosive and it will need to be destroyed.

"We are waiting for the police to arrive before we carry out a controlled explosion.

Captain Hallett said that the grenade would be covered with sandbags and then detonated.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police confirmed that were called at 8.15am and immediately alerted the Army to deal with the situation.