THERE was a heavy police presence near the riverside on Wednesday after a group of amateur fishers found an old war artillery in the River Severn.  

The Peaky Dippers, who are a group of amateur magnet fishers on YouTube, found an 18-pound artillery shell. 

Police believe the shell is from World War Two but the Peaky Dippers believe it is from World War One.

Nigel Lamford, who is from North Hampshire, has a track record of finding explosives across the country while fishing.

Mr Lamford age 51, said: "When I found it, I thought - 'not again'. This is not the first one we have found, we've shut down the River Thames and a train station in Birmingham over what we have found.

 

"I know it will cause trouble for the locals and it is a pain, but I'm not shocked by it. 

"We think it was 18-pound artillery from the first World War. 

"Or it could have been from the Boer War. It's hard to say, most have a time stamp, but this one didn't.

Worcester News: Peaky Dippers found an artillery in Worcester on Wednesday Peaky Dippers found an artillery in Worcester on Wednesday (Image: NQ)

"As soon as we found it, we cordoned off the area to stop people from going near there." 

The group rang the police who cordoned off the rest of Copenhagen Street from 3.30pm to 7pm.  
"We can't decide what to do with it, we have to leave that decision up to the army." He added.

Worcester News: War time artillery found in River Severn War time artillery found in River Severn (Image: Peaky Dippers)

Mr Lamford, who works as an auto electrician, has been magnet fishing for four years and has a successful YouTube account where he has been sharing his findings for three and a half years. 

He said: "It is just the hunt, you want to find something better than what you've previously found. 

"But it's also good for the environment, sometimes we find motorbikes with oil pouring out of them and it is better for that not to be in a river.

"We're called treasure hunters, we look for old things. 

"But I've probably found about 15 artillery's, 30 grenades, and 100 guns.

"What I've found has been picked up by the press, I've been on The Times and the radio a few times.

"I just have a reputation for guns and explosions, it's not my fault they find me. 

"It is not the first time and it is not going to be the last.

"Although, the first one I did find did cause some panic because it was the first time I'd ever held an explosive in my hand.

"But it is better to have a level head."