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Second World War bomb found by workmen in London has been defused

The discovery of the unexploded bomb had forced local residents in Brent to take shelter in a church overnight.

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A Second World War bomb which forced schools and homes to be evacuated in north-west London has been defused.

Schools and properties were evacuated on Thursday after the unexploded bomb was found in Brent, forcing local residents to take shelter in a church overnight.

The bomb, weighing 500lb (227kg), was discovered buried deep at a site in Brondesbury Park, where construction workers were preparing to build an apartment block, according to reports.

Army bomb disposal teams worked through the night and police said on Friday evening the bomb had been defused and was being removed from the site.

Police initially set up a large exclusion zone, with schools, businesses and homes evacuated and roads closed

Second World War bomb
The army was called in to deal with the bomb ( Sgt Rupert Frere/MoD Crown Copyright/PA Wire)

British Red Cross volunteers were drafted in to support affected locals and more than 50 people had to stay at a rest centre set up in a church in nearby Kensal Green.

The cordon has been relaxed but road closures in the area are still in place.

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