Entire villages cleared and roads closed as huge WW2 bomb is exploded

A huge Second World War bomb was destroyed in a controlled explosion today after two villages were evacuated as a precaution.

More than 1,000 people were moved from their homes in Ebberston and Allerston, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, before the 500lb bomb was made safe by an RAF team in a cloud of dust.

The device was discovered on Sunday in a field near Ebberston by enthusiasts who are excavating, under licence, a Second World War plane which crashed in the area in 1940.

The controlled explosion of a 500lb Second World War bomb at Ebberston

Controlled explosion: Army experts destroy a Second World War bomb in North Yorkshire today

The controlled explosion of a 500lb Second World War bomb at Ebberston


The bomb disposal team spent two days preparing for the blast, surrounding the device with dozens of one tonne sandbags to minimise the impact of the explosion.

The aircraft is believed to be a Whitley bomber which was returning to the UK after being hit by flak over Germany.

The crew are thought to have bailed out of the plane before it crashed in the field.

According to one report, the bomb was found in the bucket of a digger.

A 300metre cordon was placed around the area but this was extended to more than a kilometre when the detonation took place.

An RAF bomb disposal team near Ebberston

Mountain of sandbags: Two villages were evacuated so the bomb could be destroyed

A WW2 bomb surrounded by sandbags

Dangerous: The 500lb bomb, pictured sitting atop some sandbags, was discovered on Sunday

The nearby A170 was closed for a short period while the detonation took place, North Yorkshire Police said.

Senior officers said a multi-agency operation was put into place to ensure the safety of people in the area.

Speaking ahead of the controlled explostion, acting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Read sought to reassure the local community.

Allerston

Picturesque: Over 1,000 people were moved from their homes in Ebberston and Allerston (pictured) so the bomb could be made safe

He said: 'Members of the community of the Ebberston/Allerston area can be assured that North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, North Yorkshire Fire and rescue service and other partners, share a principal objective - to ensure the safety of people, their animals and their property.

'We rely upon the cooperation members of the public to assist us to complete this unforeseen but essential operation safely and speedily.

'Disruption to the everyday life of the area will be kept to a minimum.'

WW2 Whitley bomber

Evacuation: Enthusiasts who are excavating a Whitley bomber which crashed in a North Yorkshire field in 1940 discovered the bomb on Sunday

Map of area cordoned off in North Yorkshire