A STRETCH of beach at Felixstowe was re-opened to the public this afternoon after a war-time mortar was found washed-up on the shore.

Police sealed off an area of the beach next to the new �10 million sea defences in Undercliff Road West until Army bomb disposal squad officers could attend.

Officers stood guard to ensure the public did not break the cordon, set up for safety purposes.

The mortar – described by the Army as an inert practice round – was found by a dog walker.

Sergeant David Boardman, of the Colchester Troop, 621 Squadron, 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, said the bomb contained no explosives. He declared the item safe and recovered it for disposal.