A METAL detectorist has told how he made an explosive discovery as he scoured a picturesque beach.

Adam Reeve, of Ardleigh, often scours the beaches of Harwich and Dovercourt on the lookout for interesting finds.

But he made a more dramatic discovery when he spotted the distinctive “tail fins” of a mortar.

The device was found in the mud on Earlhams Beach, Dovercourt.

Mr Reeve was quick to alert the police, who in turn contacted the Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

He said: “I often go metal detecting along that beach.

“With the mortar, the tail fins where sticking out the mud by about half an inch, so I saw it before I picked it up with the metal detector.”

Nearby residents reported hearing a loud explosion as experts detonated the device.

A bomb disposal team from Colchester Troop, 621 Squadron, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps was called out to Dovercourt just after noon last Thursday.

The device was found to be a Fifties vintage 3ins mortar, which contained live explosives.

A cordon was set up and a controlled explosion carried out.

Mr Reeve was out on the hunt on the same beach again on Sunday, when his metal detector alerted him to another potential find. He said: “The metal detector picked it up and indicated it was close to surface.

“I then did a fingertip search and could see and feel the fins just flush with the surface of the mud.”

Again Mr Reeve reported the alarming find to the police and bomb experts were called back to the beach. But a spokesman confirmed the call-out was a false alarm on this occasion.

Mr Reeve said: “I thought they were good finds, but wasn’t really worried as I wasn’t going to dig them up.

“Enough was exposed to identify and report them so they could be dealt with correctly. They told me afterwards it was just the tail fins and no explosive parts.”

Mr Reeve said: “I don’t go out expecting to find set items, as you find all sorts on the beaches.”

An Army spokesman said it was a case of being better safe than sorry.

He said: “We would encourage the public to raise the alarm if they do have concerns about any suspect items they find and not to touch them.

“On Thursday, destroying the mortar bomb was the safest thing to do in the circumstances, as old ammunition can be quite unstable.”