Businesses have been evacuated following reports of a "suspected hand grenade" at a tip.
A bomb disposal team is at the scene in Willowbrook Road in Worthing. Police are also there.
A witness said that staff from local businesses have been evacuated and the road has been closed to the public while emergency services deal with the incident.
He claimed that a “live hand grenade” had been discovered at the recycling centre in the road.
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A spokesman for Sussex Police urged the public to stay away from the site until the device is removed.
He said: "Police received a report of a suspected hand grenade found at a recycling site in Willowbrook Road, Worthing, at around 12.10pm this afternoon.
"A 100m cordon has been placed around the device, which has led to the evacuation of a number of surrounding businesses.
"An explosive ordnance disposal team is on the way to the scene to assess and safely dispose of the item.
"There is not considered to be a risk to the public, but members of the public are advised to stay away from the site until the device is safely removed."
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