BURNHAM-on-Sea Coastguard has issued a warning to residents about the dangers of unexploded bombs washing up on beaches. 

The warning comes after the town experienced bad weather conditions last week as a result of Storm Doris hitting the country which the Coastguard says can lead to items being washed up by the tide.   

A spokesman for Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard said: "After the recent bad weather, the tides can wash up or expose a lot of items. 

"Ordnance is an unexploded bomb or ammunition and quite often they wash up on our shores, or are discovered by metal detector enthusiasts.

"Sometimes due to being in the water for many years they might not look as they should and can be hard to spot what it is, they will have corroded or things have grown over them.

"These items are highly unstable and shouldn't be touched as they could still go off.

"The first thing you should do is move yourself and others away to a safe distance, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard giving them as much information as possible.

"If there is a beach warden or lifeguard on duty inform them of what you have found and where.

"Ordnance comes in many different shapes and sizes and age and can include more recent things such as emergency distress flares from boats.

"Never touch them.

"There have been instances where unassuming people people have carried them up the beach to show the beach warden.

"It's fun to explore the beach and find exciting things, but please be careful, if you do find shells that go bang, dial 999 ask for the coastguards and do not risk your safety."