The Royal Navy has scrambled an explosive ordnance disposal team to a coastal town in Cornwall after a suspected bomb was found on a fishing boat.

A local Coastguard Rescue Team and Devon & Cornwall Police also descended on Looe Harbour after an alarm was raised at 12.45pm.

The device, which the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal team hope to detonate in a controlled explosion, is believed to have been picked up by a fishing trawler.

It is being taken out to safe location to allow experts to safely detonate the device.

A Royal Navy bomb disposal team investigate George V Dock

HMNB Devonport's bomb disposal team hope to make the device safe at some point today.

The Royal Navy thanked local residents for reporting the discovery of unusual items and showing diligence.

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said: "The Royal Navy’s Bomb Disposal team in HMNB Devonport are looking to clear the item which is currently on the seabed south of the Breakwater in Plymouth Sound this afternoon, tides and sea state condition considered.

"They are planning to lay a small charge next to the item and initiate a controlled explosion."

The incident took place along the River Looe in West Looe in Cornwall

They added: "Once again, the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal team at HMNB Devonport are thankful for the diligence and alertness of the public in reporting any unusual item found and reporting it to the Devon & Cornwall Police who request the guidance of the Bomb Disposal experts."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "A suspected ordnance device was reported on a fishing vessel in Looe harbour on January 11.

"The alarm was raised at about 12.45pm. Looe Coastguard Rescue Team and Devon and Cornwall Police attended as well as a Navy explosive ordnance disposal team.

"The device was taken out to sea to a safe location where it is planned to be made safe today."

Devonport naval dockyard on the Hamoaze

The Royal Navy has been called in to dispose a number of bombs in recent years.

Experts destroyed a 987kg German World War Two bomb found in the wreck of a 17th century warship near Southend Pier in Essex in 2019.

The Royal Navy's bomb disposal unit is called Bravo Squadron.

Bravo Squadron, which is made up of around 60 Royal Navy Clearance Divers and support staff, is based at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth and Horsea Island.