Mass evacuation for bomb removal

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An evacuation thought to be the largest of its kind in peace-time Britain is under way to allow bombs to be removed from a former Royal Navy airfield.

Twenty World War II pipe bombs are still buried at HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire.

Up to 3,000 people have been asked to stay away from their homes every Monday until 1600 BST for five weeks.

The first evacuation day saw about 30 of the town's residents seeking shelter in community centres.

Roads in the area were closed and 900 homes were incorporated in a 750m (820 yd) exclusion zone as a safety measure.

'German invasion'

Pipe bombs are being removed from five sites under the former airfield, which lies between Southampton and Portsmouth, by the Army's Royal Engineers.

We really aren't in any danger - I don't think so anyway Keith Brewer

The bombs have been lying there since 1939 when they were planted so the airfield could be destroyed in the event of a German invasion.

The mines were detected and the location of each pinpointed during construction work to build a new hangar for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which now owns most of the site.

The 20ft (6m) pipes are located by remote controlled digging equipment, then dug up by hand and detonated.

'Will cause inconvenience'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The thing that finds them has only just been invented - a sonar that picks up ferrous-based material accurately."

"These things are safe until they are disturbed but now the site is being sold off to be developed."

"The operation is unique due to its size and scale," he added.

Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "This is a major exercise by the MoD, and one that we fully appreciate will cause inconvenience to a great many people."

Two rest centres for residents have been set up at Lee-on-the-Solent Community Centre and Crofton Community Centre in Stubbington.

Some residents decided to stay at home and were asked by police to sign a disclaimer to say that they understood the risks.

Affordable homes

Keith Brewer, 81, told BBC News: "Nobody talks about the poor soldiers who are going to have to dig these wretched things up and they're at the sharp end of danger, we really aren't in any danger - I don't think so anyway."

Evelyn Speed chose to stay at her daughter's home during Monday's evacuation.

But her daughter's house will be in the evacuation area when the last of the five sites is evacuated.

Ms Speed said: "That last week when I can't stay here, when I can't stay in my own home, I can't go to the community centre - I've actually booked a caravan for that week."

HMS Daedalus, which makes up 256 acres (104 hectares), is one of the largest Brownfield sites on the Solent.

The South East Development Agency has bought 204 acres (82 hectares) to be developed, with plans to include affordable homes for key workers.