A bomb squad have carried out a controlled explosion on an Ayrshire beach after a piece of suspected ordnance washed ashore.
The discovery was made by a member of the public in the sand between Irvine and Barassie yesterday afternoon.
The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team raced to the scene alongside Police Scotland colleagues who quickly put a massive 200 metre cordon in place.
Members of the Explosives Ordnance Disposal team soon arrived and safely destroyed the metal device.
The coastguard team released images of the disposal operation and issued a reminder for walkers to be vigilant on the coast.
They said: “The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was called out yesterday afternoon alongside Police Scotland following reports of an item believed to be ordnance found on the coastline between Irvine and Barassie.
“The team responded immediately and utilising the team’s two 4x4 Coastguard Rescue Vehicles, were able to quickly get on scene to where the first informant had found the object in question.
“Given the vast expanse of Irvine Beach the first informant had utilised the What3Words app which assisted Police and Coastguard to quickly find and locate the object.
“As the object was located above the high water mark, Police Scotland contacted the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) from the military with the team setting up a suitable cordon on the beach to provide a safe working area and to minimise any risk to the public.
“The team remained on scene alongside Police Scotland until the arrival of EOD from the Royal Navy who conducted a controlled explosion of the object where it was found with the team expanding the cordon to over 200m to ensure public safety.
“With the object disposed of, the cordon was lifted and all resources have stood down with the team returning to station to clean the vehicles and complete the necessary paperwork before booking off duty and returning home.”
They added: “We continue to advise the public of the following if they find something along the coast which they think could be a discarded maritime distress flare or ordnance.
“It is not uncommon for suspect items to be washed up along the coast especially following spells of bad weather.
“If you are venturing for a walk along the coast just now for exercise in line with the current COVID restrictions then please take care, stay safe and if in doubt – get us out.”
