A CHILDREN’S playground was closed off to the public after workmen found an unexploded bomb.

Police were called to the corner of Riviera Drive and Dalmatia Road, Southend, following reports a shell had been discovered.

It is understood the device dates back to the Second World War.

Officers quickly ushered people away from the scene, as a crowd gathered at about 2.50pm today. 

At of 8pm, they were still guarding the scene.

An army bomb disposal team was drafted in to remove the bomb.

Paul Sutton, a taxi driver of Riviera Drive, said the road quickly became “a hive activity.”

He praised police for their swift response.

Mr Sutton, 64, said he first heard there was a problem when workmen were ordered away from the site.

He said: “I am about 200m away from it all and heard that it was an unexploded bomb discovered, which the workmen believe was left over from the Second World War.

“You could see it was serious as the moment the workmen found it, they were ordered away very quickly by their superiors. 

“Police arrived promptly and they were sending people away from the scene and shut the park and the path off by the railway tracks immediately. 

“I think they were carrying out work on the sewage there, and it’s amazing they discovered it and that nobody got hurt.

“It’s just as well they did, and were able to make it clear to their bosses. quickly. I feel sorry for those in Chinchilla Drive, who are pretty much on top of it.”

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed an army bomb disposal team was requested to respond to yesterday’s discovery.

She said: “We were called just after 2.50pm with reports of what could possibly be an artillery round was found by workmen in Dalmatia Road.

“Officers attended and the military’s explosive ordnance disposal unit has been contacted.”