A BOMB shell was discovered in a bin behind a bookies this afternoon.

Police evacuated staff and punters from the William Hill bookmakers on the high street, Aveley and cordoned off the road, whilst the police Explosive Ordnance Unit were sent for.

After racing down from Northampton, the specialist unit learnt that the shell was empty.

Julie Mansford, manageress of William Hill, Aveley said: “We were told to leave the shop at about 1.30pm. The police closed the shop and the road outside.

“The bomb squad came down from Northampton and said that the shell was empty. They took the shell away and at 4pm, the police let us back in and cut the cordon they had put up.”