Youngsters found a mysterious object washed up on a British beach that some feared could be a bomb.
Following the discovery on Slapton Sands beach in Devon at around 12pm yesterday, Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team was called in.
They sent photographs of the object to the Royal Navy's ordnance clearance team, who confirmed it was not a bomb.
They said it could be a "cast iron storm drain cover" and following the information, the coastguard team "stood down", reports Devon Live.
Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team said: "We were called out to Slapton Sands to suspected ordnance on the beach at Strete Gate near the Lime Coffee Company.
"The object was found by a family whose youngsters were digging in the sand. They we're concerned that object may be ordnance. So they correctly called the coastguard.
"On our arrival we sent photos to our control room and they were forwarded to the Navy's team responsible ordnance clearance. It was not an item of ordnance, possibly a cast iron storm drain cover? We were then stood down.
"If you find anything on the beach that you are unsure of and it could ordnance, please don’t hesitate call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
It adds: "Remember, in a costal emergency, be in the beach, a river or in a harbour, dial 999 and ask for a coastguard."
It comes after police cordoned off a boat on a beach in North Wales after it was found "adrift", sparking fears for its occupants.
The stranded vessel was discovered on Colwyn Bay beach on Saturday morning after it was spotted between the pier and Porth Erias.
The RNLI and coastguard have been helping police to trace the occupants, as authorities said a scan of the surrounding waters had so far proved "inconclusive".
Pictures show the blue and white boat named 'Phoenix Hardy' stranded on the beach, with the surrounding area taped off by a police cordon and flanked by an officer.
RNLI Llandudno said: "The cruiser was close to shore and found to be abandoned, at the request of HM Coastguard Holyhead the inshore lifeboat [ILB] proceeded to conduct a search in the bay to ascertain whether unknown casualties may have entered the water.
"After an inconclusive search the crew returned to shore to report to the waiting coastguard and North Wales Police.
"An attempt was made to refloat the cruiser with a plan to tow it to Rhos Marina.
"However, this was unsuccessful, at which point the ILB was stood down and returned to Llandudno Lifeboat Station."
