Drama as grenade is dug up

Up to 150 homes were evacuated when a postman unearthed a hand grenade while digging his garden in the Black Country.

Ashleigh Lewis, 26, found the Second World War weapon in his garden in Middlepark Road, on Russells Hall Estate in Dudley.

Around 30 police officers were drafted to the estate and a section of Middlepark Road and Hawkesley Road was cordoned off.

The live grenade was detonated in a controlled explosion on fields next to the street, near Russells Hall Hospital, to the delight of children who shouted when they heard the blast.

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Keen gardener Mr Lewis, who has a daughter Mia aged two, said: "I was using a pick axe when I heard a tink and thought 'what's that?'

"The grenade was buried about a foot in the ground, I got it onto a shovel and showed it to my neighbour Dawn Black who said I better call the police.

"I then put it down very gently, I was worried it was going to explode."

A crowd gathered outside The Old Park pub when the drama unfolded about 1pm on Saturday.

Landlord Colin McNay, aged 51, said: "I've only been here a week and I certainly was not expecting anything like this to happen.

"I thought the police were raiding the pub."

The Royal Logistics Corps from Tewkesbury arrived and residents were allowed back into their homes at 5.30pm. Staff sergeant Matt Henton from the corps said the device was a Number 36 hand grenade and he was able to see explosives inside.

Mr Lewis' partner Bobbie Lowe, a Castle High School classroom assistant, said: "I asked Ash to do some gardening while I went out for lunch.

"Later he phoned me and said he was sorry but he had some bad news, he had found a hand grenade. I thought he was pulling my leg," added the 30-year-old.

West Midlands Ambulance Service and a crew from Brierley Hill fire station were also at the scene.

Holly Hall School was opened for people to get and tea and coffee.nextpage