A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose was called in to action on Tuesday, August 27, after the discovery of a possible Second World War grenade on the Isles of Scilly.

Police and coastguards were called at around 7.15pm on Tuesday evening on the island of St Martin’s, after the object was discovered on a beach. In turn they requested the assistance of the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts that are based in Plymouth.

A RNAS Culdrose spokesperson said: “RNAS Culdrose’s Merlin Helicopter Force was asked to transport the team to the islands as soon as possible. All three Merlin squadrons were taking part in night-flying training sorties on Tuesday evening and so a crew from 820 Naval Air Squadron was asked to transport the team.

“The coastguard cleared a landing area in a field on St Martin’s and the Culdrose aviators quickly dropped off the bomb disposal team before continuing with their training flight.

The object, which is believed to have dated back to the 1940s, was destroyed in a controlled explosion. The helicopter called back to the islands, around an hour and a half later, to bring the team back to RNAS Culdrose, situated near Helston.