Robot sent in to remove Smethwick grenade

Army bomb disposal experts were called to Smethwick today after a hand grenade was discovered in the foundations of a garage.

Police were called to Woodbourne Road at 9am after builders digging out foundations for a new kitchen extension made the discovery.

Builder Richard Lowe, of R Lowe Construction discovered the grenade, which was encased in concrete.

He said: "I was digging out the footings for an extension. We were breaking up the concrete when suddenly the grenade, which still had the pin in fell out.

"We did panic a bit. I picked it up and put it in the front garden then alerted the family."

Joanne Stevenson, 42, a primary school teacher has lived at the house with husband Ian, aged 49 and six-year-old twins Molly and Tom for the last five years.

She said: "The builders told us what they had found at about 9am and we immediately called the police.

"After that everything happened so quickly. The bomb squad arrived at about 11am.

"A robot was used to go into the garden to get the grenade, which was then taken away by the bomb disposal people in a van.

"It was a big shock on what was, until then just an average Wednesday.

"The children were alright, although Tom was worried about his Wii console being blown up."

Families in neighbouring homes were not evacuated, but were told to stay at the back of their homes until they were given the all clear at 11.20am.

The grenade was taken away to be detonated elsewhere.

Police spokeswoman Samantha Bates confirmed officers and the explosive ordnance division were sent to the address at 9.09am to reports of an unexploded device.