Park transformed after shock bomb discovery

A NORTHUMBERLAND park that made international headlines earlier this year when a hidden cache of Second World War practice bombs was discovered has reopened.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

Work to upgrade the playground at Wooler was halted by the shock discovery in February.

Bomb disposal squads were called out and the story was featured in the New York Times. Now, the much-loved Scotts Play Park has been transformed thanks to a £150,000 refurbishment.

Northumberland County Council agreed to fund an additional £40,000 cost to cover the removal of the practice bombs. Contractors working on behalf of Wooler Parish Council began work on January 6, but less than week later workers on the £150,000 project reported they had uncovered a “suspicious object” whilst digging foundations.

Northumbria Police were contacted as the object bore a “striking resemblance” to a wartime shell. An officer who had previously served as an army engineer was deployed before the bomb disposal squad from Catterick Barracks attended the site.