CONSTRUCTION of the new John Lewis and Waitrose stores had to be stopped suddenly yesterday after workmen found what they thought was an unexploded Second World War bomb.

Bomb disposal experts were called to the former Crane site in Nacton Road, Ipswich, after the object was discovered.

Work at the site was halted and the area evacuated after the suspected bomb was found. A Suffolk police spokesman said officers received a call just before 2.55pm on Monday stating a cylinder-type object had been unearthed.

A cordon was put up around the premises, although it is understood traffic was still able to travel along Nacton Road.

An army bomb disposal squad arrived at the site at around 4pm.

A spokesman for the bomb squad said the item, described as being the same size as a wine bottle, was actually a 105mm artillery shell and was not live.

He said: “We very much encourage the public to call 999 if they have any concerns about an object they find.

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

The shell had been taken away by 4.45pm and was due to be destroyed by the experts.