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A huge police cordon was set in place in Plymouth after a "suspected ordnance" was found in the city and hundreds of residents were evacuated.

Devon and Cornwall Police said confirmed that the Royal Navy's Explosives Ordnance Department attended "to assess the item" found at a building site in the Southway area of the city, on Flamborough Road yesterday evening (April 29). The force also said an exclusion zone was extended from 100m to 200m and then 400m, with hundreds of residents evacuated.

Around 1,260 households inside are being evacuated this morning (April 30), and it is understood a nearby Aldi supermarket was also shut as a precaution.

Oakwood Primary School and Little Acorns PreSchool will be closed today, as both are located within the initial 400metre safety cordon that was put in place. Beechwood Primary School, which is not currently within the 400metre cordon, but sits close to the affected area, was also advised not to open today (April 30).

Plymouth City Council said schools will be communicating directly with parents and carers to provide further information and guidance. A council spokesperson said that at this stage, it is not known how long the cordon would need to remain in place.

A spokesperson said: "Royal Navy unexploded ordnance (UXO) specialists have worked through the night to continue their assessment of the device discovered in Southway and to determine the safest way to make it secure.

"Meanwhile, work to evacuate approximately 1,260 households within the 400metre safety cordon is ongoing. Devon and Cornwall Police, supported by volunteers from a number of organisations e.g. Coast Guard, are continuing doortodoor visits to provide residents with information and encourage people to leave their homes for their own safety."

An evacuation centre has been set up at Southway Youth and Community Centre to help residents. Public transport is also being affected, especially the following services - 42A, 101, 102, 107, 42 and 41.

The council also initially predicted residents will not be able to return to their homes for at least two nights.

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