Cannock Chase sealed off in wartime bomb alert

Part of Cannock Chase was sealed off for a day after diggers unearthed a Second World War bomb. Bomb disposal experts were called out after the explosive used for target practice during the Second World War was discovered .

Retired Cannock pharmacist Phil Mills took this picture moments after the bomb was dug up close to Anson's Bank car park, near Rugeley. The amateur photographer had been walking his dog on Friday morning at around 11am when he saw the drama unfold.

Police cordoned off the area and both the army and then the RAF bomb disposal units were called out to dispose of the bomb.

The area was used as a Second World War rifle range and bombing practice area for British troops. The bomb which was discovered is believed to be a 250lb Mark 5 British bomb used for target practice.

It is believed the diggers were filling in land which had become exposed by mining subsidence due to a recent grass fire when the bomb was exposed.

Mr Mills, aged 65, from Rokholt Crescent, said: "I was lucky to be walking the dog just after they found the bomb and was able to get up close and take pictures of it.

"It was a big bomb. The police arrived and immediately cordoned off the area. The army bomb disposal unit then came along followed by the RAF bomb disposal unit.

"When I came back again the following day it was still being dealt with. The area where it was found was used by the Army during the Second World War so there is a good chance it was a bomb that was supposed to be detonated for practice which never went off."

In 1938 the building of a training school was begun on nearby Brindley Heath which is the area south of the Visitor Centre.

It was opened in 1939 by the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood. Its official title was the No 6 School of Technical Training but is better known as RAF Hednesford.