Officers were called to a house in Chatburn after a resident unearthed a historic artefact in the couple’s very own garden.

Last night (Monday, December 5) a resident of Downham Road called the police to report finding what was described as possibly being a live shell.

The army was contacted and it was quickly confirmed the item was in fact a World War One artillery shell.

The Royal Logistics Corp Bomb Disposal team from Chester travelled to the Ribble Valley house to investigate and take x-rays of the shell to check it did not contain any high explosives so it could be safely removed.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The shell will be disposed of safely at the Army Bomb Disposal Kent Facility.

PC Nigel Keates said: “Advice should anyone be unfortunate enough to find a shell or anything similar is, as soon as it is discovered (do) just as this couple did.

“Don’t panic, leave the item well alone do not move or shake the object and contact police on 999 and give as good a description of the object as you can and as accurate a location as possible especially if on open land or countryside.

“The couple concerned were rightly very worried about what could have happened and are hopefully beginning to relax a little and have a great story to tell the kids.

“All's well that ends well.”