Owners of a family attraction have told of their shock after a metal detectorist told them what they thought was a muddy sweet potato was actually a WWl hand grenade.
Bosses at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Keynsham, were shown images of the grenade by a detectorist looking for historical artefacts on their fields.
And as soon as they learned that it wasn’t a vegetable, they called out the police and the bomb squad. They managed to remove the mud-covered grenade from fields at the attraction without putting anyone in danger.
READ MORE: Missing Bristol man, 26, sent message to family saying 'he didn't know where he was'
The owners of the farm park, which is closed until Easter, wrote about the incident on their social media account. Posting images of what looked to be a small muddy ball, they wrote: “Wow! Late last night, a World War I hand grenade was found by a metal detectorist granted permission to 'relic hunt' on one of the farm fields (sic).
“The police were immediately alerted and the bomb squad arrived to remove it safely with no danger to anyone.”
They have now appealed to the public to help them find out how it might have ended up in a field at the attraction which has a petting zoo, children’s playground, mini train, go-karts and river walk.
"In the 1950s and 60s, the council used a number of the farms fields as a rubbish tip, so we assume that this was thrown out during a house clearance but it's unlikely we'll ever know," said the post. "Do you have any ideas how it may have got here?
"Photos show it as it was found and what it would have originally looked like. It was a lucky spot. I thought I was being sent a photo of an unearthed sweet potato."
The owner thanked the metal detectorist and relevant authorities for responding so quickly and professionally.
BristolLive has not been able to contact anyone at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park.
READ NEXT:
- Bristol's trendy new pizza parlour 'like stepping into a New York dive bar'
- Review: Morrisons Cafe’s £8.99 two-course set menu taste-tested
- Bristol's first ever all vegan Indian restaurant opens this weekend
- Bristol restaurant forced to raise prices just over month after opening
- New Kingswood café opens with incredible coffee and amazing milkshakes
