A SECOND World War explosive was detonated on a beach this morning.

Selsey Coastguard was called to the beach in front of the RNLI Lifeboat station in Selsey last night shortly before 6.30pm after a diver discovered an explosive, suspected to be a mortar bomb, in the sea.

The crew liaised with a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the diver and they decided to hold off on detonating the explosive until this morning due to fading light.

The Argus: A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to detonate an explosive on Selsey beach. Photos: Selsey Coastguard A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to detonate an explosive on Selsey beach. Photos: Selsey Coastguard

The beach was closed this morning at 7.15am and the Navy EOD successfully carried out the detonation at 8.22am. 

The Navy EOD described the explosive as a British two-inch projectile from the Second World War era which was suspected to contain smoke or phosphorus.

The Argus: The two-inch projectile which was detonated this morning. Photo: Royal NavyThe two-inch projectile which was detonated this morning. Photo: Royal Navy

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: "Ordnance comes in all shapes and sizes.

"If you come across ordnance on the beach please do not touch it and dial 999 and ask for the coastguard straight away.

"The coast and the sea can catch you out whether you're local or not. Our message remains: call 999 coastguard if you're in trouble."