• Residents in Falmouth are being evacuated from their homes as experts deal with an unexploded World War Two bomb
• Emergency services were initially called to Falmouth Docks at 09:15 on Monday after the suspected 250lb (115kg) American World War Two air-dropped device was found in the water
• A 300m (984ft) exclusion zone was previously in place which has since been expanded to 755m (2,477ft)
• GWR suspends train services between Falmouth Docks and Falmouth Town stations
• All Saints Church in Killgrew Street will be opening as an evacuation centre

Revd Adam Dunning is heading up the team of volunteers at All Saints Church in Killigrew Street, which is the designated safe space for residents who've evacuated.

He said they're offering "a gentle supportive presence for people who are going to feel scared and unsettled".

Along with refreshments, the centre has also been stocked with phone chargers after the team realised this was what was often being left behind as people rushed to leave their homes.

He said plans had been changing rapidly in the past 24 hours.

At one point the church was going to be turned into a military command point and the next moment, he'd been told to prepare for some 2,000 evacuated people.

He said he hoped the next five to ten hours would run smoothly and reminded people the volunteers at the church was there offering refreshments, shelter and company.

Image source, Royal Navy

Lt Cdr Ben Brown, commanding officer of the Royal Navy's Bravo Squadron bomb disposal team, said the bomb is "on the larger side" of what they usually deal with.

"It's 250lb, an American general purpose bomb of the World War Two era," he explained.

"This could have come from any number of sources.

"It could have been an American bomber that's come back from a mission, not successfully executed that, not dropped its payload and it needed to get rid of the bombs before it landed.

"It could have been an emergency and it needed to just ditch."

He told BBC Radio Cornwall each scenario was different when ordnance was found.

"You could put the same bomb in a slightly different location, on a different day, with different weather conditions, and have a completely different response required," he said.

"This is on the larger side of ordnance that we would deal with, but the Plymouth team in particular have dealt with a lot of these recently, certainly this year to date, but it's on the slightly larger side."

As the deadline for the evacuation approaches, a number of businesses in the vicinity of the cordon say they'll remain closed including Pendennis Community Centre and the Dell garage.

However, Falmouth University says its Wood Lane campus will remain open as usual with timetable teaching going ahead.

The Maritime Museum says it’s also staying open.

Cornwall councillor for Falmouth Arwenack, Laurie Mcgowan, said despite there being a challenging day ahead he's confident everyone involved will work together to get through it.

He told BBC Radio Cornwall: "The mood is one of anticipation for today, there's a really busy day ahead, and a huge amount of planning taking place from all the local authorities."

He added: "Everyone's prepared, well-organised and looking forward to making sure this operation goes smoothly today."

Mcgowan thanked the emergency services for their "first class" response, adding: "When things get tough, people pull together.

"It's going to be a challenging day but I think the best things come from people when things get tough, and it's going to be one of those days."

Spt Ian Thompson, policing commander for West Cornwall, has asked all residents within the cordon to evacuate their properties early on Wednesday morning.

"If you live within the cordon area, you are strongly urged to leave your home by 9am," he said. 

“The size of the cordon is determined by advice from military bomb disposal experts.

"An evacuation of this area is essential so these specialists can proceed safely with the next stage of their work."

He said police officers would be in the area to support residents.

Cameron Weldon
South West

GWR has said all train services between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks will be suspended from 08:45 BST this morning.

It said no trains or replacement bus services would be able to operate between the two Falmouth stations but still expected trains to be able to operate between Truro and Falmouth Town.

It said services would resume as soon as the device was safely removed and the cordon lifted.

Cameron Weldon
South West

A 755m (2,480ft) cordon is to come into place from 09:00 BST this morning.

A 300m (985ft) exclusion zone has been in place since Monday when the bomb was first discovered.

Cornwall Council initially said it would be extended to 1,400m (4,595ft) on Wednesday but that was later revised to 755m.

An estimated 339 households are set to be evacuated while teams work to deal with the bomb.

Image source, Cornwall Council

Cornwall Council has prepared reception centres and will provide support for those who have been asked to leave their homes.

Residents have been urged to visit All Saints Church on Killigrew Street, TR11 3PN.

The council said the evacuation procedure would begin at 9:00 BST and urged people to follow the instructions given by police or emergency services.

Image source, Google

More than 300 homes are to be evacuated this morning after a suspected unexploded World War Two device was found in the sea off Cornwall.

The suspected 250lb (115kg) American World War Two air-dropped device was found in the water near Falmouth Docks on Monday about 09:15 BST.

A 150m (490ft) cordon was initially put in place but was later extended to 300m (985ft).

That stayed in place throughout Tuesday before Cornwall Council announced it would be increased again to 755m (2,480ft) with an estimated 339 households to be evacuated.

Superintendent Ian Thompson from Devon and Cornwall Police has urged those within the cordon area to leave their homes by 09:00 BST.

He said the size of the cordon was determined by advice from military bomb disposal experts, with evacuation of the area essential so specialists can proceed safely with the next stage of their works.