Hundreds of homes evacuated after suspected WW2 bomb at building site

Ards and North Down district commander superintendent Johnston McDowell said: “In excess of 400 homes have been affected by this [public safety] operation. This is a significant number of properties, and we thank residents for their patience and understanding.

“I would like to state that if homeowners or residents have not been spoken to directly by police, or received information in relation to this matter, it’s unlikely that they will be impacted by the clearance operation at this time.

“It is anticipated at this stage that the operation will continue for a number of days. A police cordon is in place and motorists are advised to continue to avoid the area.”