Why bomb disposal experts keep having to blow things up on this Gower beach

Another controlled explosion has been carried out at a Gower beach. Bomb disposal units and the Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team were called to Whiteford Sands on Monday morning after a suspicious object was discovered.

A member of the public came across the suspected ordnance at around 7am before raising the alarm.

The explosive ordnance disposal team examined the object before carrying out a controlled explosion on the beach.

But the first explosion was not successful, meaning a larger charge had to be used in order to dispose of the item.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the suspected ordnance on the beach (Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team)

Bomb disposal units were called to Whiteford Sands after the object was found by a member of the public (Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team)

A spokesman for the Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Monday, June 15, at 7am. Oxwich Coastguard Rescue Team tasked to Whiteford Point for ordnance.

"The item was initially reported by a member of the public to our flank team when on a safety patrol.

"The ordnance was cordoned off by Rhossili.

"The EOD arrived and examined the item. Once they were happy that there was no chemical involved they set up to dispose of it.

"The first explosion did not complete the task so a larger charge was used to finalise the disposal.

"We returned to station at 1pm."

The Ministry of Defence explained that because the Gower Peninsula was used as a range during the Second World War the area needed to be "cleared thoroughly" to make sure it was safe.

A spokesman said: "The Gower Peninsula was used as a range during the Second World War.

"The area continues to be cleared thoroughly twice a year to ensure that it remains safe for the public.

"In the event that a member of the public discovers suspected unexploded ordnance, they should act with the utmost caution and immediately report such items to the police, who will call on disposal teams to safely deal with them."

This comes after bomb disposal units were called to the same beach two weeks ago after three suspicious objects were found by a member of the public.

The three items were checked for chemicals and x-rays were also taken before controlled explosions were carried out on two of them.

And there have been several similar incidents over the past few years.