BOMB disposal experts were called to Pewsey today after an old war mortar was found in a field by a member of the public.

Police were notified of the discovery just after 11am in Wilcot Road and the Royal Logistic Corps’ Bomb Disposal Unit were also deployed to take the three inch mortar away to be destroyed.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at 11.13am today by a member of the public reporting they had dug up a suspected mine in Wilcot Road, Pewsey.

“It was quite quickly determined that it was an inert mine and did not pose a risk. The bomb disposal unit attended and the inert mine was taken away this afternoon.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman added: "We were called at around 11am this morning, where our team located a three inch mortar. The troop took it away for destruction.”

Resident Alan Coxon captured the bomb squad’s arrival in the village. He posted on Facebook: “It must have been there for years.

"There’s been many tractors over it time and again topping it, etc. Horses, people wandering about. Obviously a de-activated mine.”

Mark Sheen added: “We dug up an old anti tank landmine, turned out to be inert, but could not risk not having it checked.”