Bomb disposal experts have finally been able to blow up a second world war bomb that washed up on Kinshaldy beach in Fife on Wednesday.
Thick fog and poor visibility hampered their efforts after a passer-by discovered the 25lb highly explosive device at the Tayport end of the shore at around 2pm.
The shell was under a high tide by the time the Northern Diving Group, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, reached the scene, while low tide coincided with the descent of a blanket of fog, forcing the specialists to wait for clearer weather.
Better perhaps not so much clearer weather did arrive yesterday and the bomb was blown up where it lay at 9.34am.
Naval experts suggested the explosion had been powerful enough to demonstrate the shell still had “definite explosive content.”
It was discovered by Jim Groark (49), who lives near Shanwell Farm, as he was out for his usual run.
“I spotted it lying in the sand, so I went across to investigate it and quickly realised it was a shell,” he said.
“I marked it because it’s difficult to find again. I rang the police and went back to the gate at Tayport to meet them.
“The police quickly realised what it was and rang the bomb disposal team.”
After being found, the shell was covered in sandbags and a member of the coastguard spent a lonely vigil overnight to ensure that things remained safe.
A spokeswoman for Forth coastguard confirmed they had remained with the bomb overnight.
It is far from the first time this area has witnessed such a sight. Part of a mortar shell was found there in 2007 and the head of a smoke shell was discovered a decade ago.
The standing advice to the public is not to approach any suspected explosive, but to contact the authorities immediately.
Millions of pieces of munitions from the second world w ar remain in the coastal waters around Britain.
They can become exposed by changes in weather and tides, particularly in the Forth.