Builder finds WW2 explosives found in The New Inn Amesbury

Six "highly volatile" detonators and one stick of dynamite were found by builder Shane Rose while he was quoting work on a wall at The New Inn, Amesbury.

The 47-year-old found the explosives in an old metal tin among rubble while inspecting the crumbled wall.

His initial reaction was "panic and concern for everyone's safety" and decided to move the explosives into an open area at the back of Reeves in case they blew up.

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He then contacted pub owner Ash Brindley, who also owns the Kings Arms, to let him know what he had found.

Detonators and dynamite found in The New Inn. (Image: Ash Brindley)

Ash told the Journal that he didn't initially believe what he was hearing.

He said: "I thought Shane was messing around, he's the only guy I know that could quote a job and find a bomb."

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Once Ash saw the picture of the live explosives he took "no chances".

He added: "I knew what detonators look like from films so I prepared for the worst-case scenario and called the police straight away."

Explosives were found amongst rubble in this wall. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Ash said officers were on the scene "within 10-15 minutes" of calling 101.

Shortly afterwards a bomb disposal team arrived on the scene and conducted a controlled detonation.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of suspected explosives found by builders in Salisbury Street, Amesbury at around 9.50am this morning (02/02).

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"The EOD unit (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) was on the scene and cordoned off 100 meters in a field nearby to safely dispose of the package."

Landlady Hannah Burden was shocked to discover that there were 80-year-old explosives stashed in her pub's back garden.

The 21-year-old said: "I didn't really know what to say when I got the phone call. It's all a bit unbelievable."

Hannah Burden, landlady of The New Inn, Amesbury. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Hannah was in the pub during the controlled detonation and said customers didn't know but she kept everyone out of the way so that no one got hurt.

"You don't wake up in the morning and expect dynamite to be in your wall," she added.

It was Shane's first time uncovering explosives and he said that he doesn't want to sound like "the hero who took over" but that he took action in the interest of everyone else's safety.

Police had left the scene by 12.40pm and no one was injured.