M5 closed for more than an hour after fears over 'unexploded bomb' found by family

The M5 was closed for more than an hour after a family found what was feared to be an unexploded bomb underneath the motorway.

Scott Hargood and his children were magnet fishing in the canal below the M5 Oldbury Viaduct which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.

And his nine-year-old son Finley fished out a metal tube-like object from the water off Stone Street this lunchtime.

Police say following further examination the object is thought to be a flare.

There were concerns it may be an unexploded bomb as wiring and a fuse was visible from the tube.

Police were called and immediately closed the motorway above which is used by thousands of motorists each day.

The busy motorway was closed in both directions between Junction 1 for West Bromwich and Junction 2 for Oldbury.

Police closed the M5 at around midday today after the discovery by the family.

Mr Hargood, 44, who works as a carer, has previously magnet fishedin other canals across the Black Country.

He said: "Nobody is 100 per cent sure what it is, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

"Nothing surprises us anymore what we pull out.

"My nine-year-old son, Finley, pulled it out of the water.

"We didn't know what it was at first and he always comes to me if he doesn't know what it is.

"I popped the lid and there was a solid thing in it with a fuse and we thought it was really dodgy."

Police confirmed they were investigating after the suspicious object was found.

Mr Hargood added: "We put it against the wall and kept everybody away from it just for safety reasons.

"They cleared out the water under the bridge for safety precautions.

"There were at least eight or nine police officers here and a dog unit as well.

"It just looks really suspicious."

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police were called to Stone Street, Oldbury at 11.30am this morning to reports of a fisherman finding what he believed to be an explosive device in a canal.

"The M5 between Junction 1 for West Bromwich and Junction 2 for Oldbury, was closed as a precaution for over an hour.

"All roads have since re-opened and a small cordon remains in place on Stone Street until the Bomb Disposal have safely disposed of the item, which is believed to be a pyrotechnic. Thank you for your patience while the roads were closed."

A spokesman for Highways England said the motorway had been closed for a "police incident".

Motorists were urged to follow the 'Hollow Circle' diversion route while the motorway was closed off.

There were 15 minute delays on the approach to M5 at Junction 2 northbound spanning five miles back to Junction 4 at Lydiate Ash for north Bromsgrove.

The M5 fully reopened at around 1.30pm.

The family took up the hobby at the end of August last year, using circular neodymium magnets which cost £25 each.

Within their first week they built up an amazing treasure trove which, as well as the firearms, also included a sword, four mountain bikes, a safe door, a 20mph speed limit sign, a mobility scooter and a motorcycle frame.