Cley beach has re-opened after bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion of four live flares this morning.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the US Airforce flares found on Cley beach. Picture: NORFOLK POLICEOne of the US Airforce flares found on Cley beach. Picture: NORFOLK POLICE (Image: Archant)

A team from RAF Wittering dealt with the US Airforce Marker Marine flares which were washed up on the beach and first spotted yesterday.

A National Trust spokesman said a birdwatcher had reported one flare to trust staff working at Blakeney Point who had then searched the area and discovered a further three.

The flares are potentially dangerous as they contain phosphorus which burns fiercely.

Sgt Shevy Bramley, who carried out the explosion, said they had visited the site yesterday evening to ascertain what they were dealing with but it had been too dark to deal with the flares and so the beach had been sectioned off.

The squad returned to the scene before first light today to make preparations and carried out the explosion just before 10am.

A police officer was stationed in his vehicle at the entrance to Cley beach this morning to stop the public entering the danger zone until the 'all-clear' was given.

The flares were discovered at intervals along the beach, with the nearest being about three-and-a-half miles away, towards Blakeney Point.