'Idiotic' tourists take home unexploded bombs from Dorset beach

Two men have been labelled "idiotic" after being pictured carrying 2ft unexploded bombs they found on a beach in Dorset over their shoulders.

The scene, which took place between Worbarrow Bay and Tyneham - a beauty spot enjoyed by thousands of tourists and locals - was captured by a woman on her mobile phone, who was concerned for the safety of her little girl.

She told the Bournemouth Echo: "I thought they were carrying rugs at first but as they walked past I saw they were enormous shells.

"I was with somebody who used to be in the army and he said that because their ends were intact, they were unexploded.

"I was really scared. As they were walking past, my little girl was alongside them.

"They could have gone on the Sandbanks Ferry or on the motorway. I just think they're a pair of idiots."

Worbarrow Bay is is part of the 7,000-acre Lulworth Military Range used by the Army for tank firing practice.

According to the Daily Mail, the 120mm tank shells date back to the Cold War, and would likely have come from a Chieftain tank or a Wombat anti-tank rifle used by the Army in the 70s and 80s.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence is urging the pair to get in contact so the shells can be removed and blown up in a controlled environment.

Although it it is not clear from the picture whether the shells were live or practice rounds, she said, "there is no guarantee these items are free from explosive and they could therefore be extremely dangerous".

According to the Daily Mail and the Bournemouth Echo, the spokeswoman added: "The MoD takes the safety of the public extremely seriously and all pathways at Lulworth Ranges that are open to the public are cleared of military debris, including shells, before access is permitted.

"A number of signs have been placed on-site warning members of the public of the dangers of venturing from authorised pathways and removing shells.

"Unfortunately there are instances where these warnings are ignored.

"The MoD urges public using the ranges to keep to the designated pathways and be advised that it is extremely dangerous to touch any military material they may find.

"These shells are not something anyone should be picking up."

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