A Derbyshire primary school was evacuated after a young pupil brought a World War Two grenade in for show and tell.
The alarming incident unfolded at Osmaston CofE Primary School in Ashbourne on Friday, when a boy proudly presented the wartime device to classmates. Concerned staff immediately cleared the site and alerted police.
Headteacher Jeanette Hart said she acted quickly when the grenade was produced, though it was unclear whether the weapon was still live.
“I didn’t want to take the risk and leave it in the school,” she told the BBC. “I wasn’t 100 per cent happy carrying it, but I put it behind a large tree outside.”
Derbyshire Police arrived at the scene alongside army explosives experts to assess the device.
A spokesman for the Matlock, Cromford, Wirksworth and Darley Dale Police Safer Neighbourhood Team later posted a light-hearted warning on social media: “Just a word of guidance for parents and guardians — double check what your kids are taking to show-and-tell, especially when they are family heirlooms.”
Mrs Hart described the situation as completely innocent and said the boy had taken the grenade in because he found it “interesting” after learning about VE Day.
“His family didn’t know [he took it] and they were a little taken aback,” she added.
