'Ammunition must not be taken to recycling centres'

People are being urged to think carefully when clearing out unwanted items after a suspected grenade was found at a recycling centre.

Devon County Council said a number of recycling centres had been forced to temporarily shut this year due to the discovery of suspicious or dangerous items, such as unexploded ordnance.

It said Brunel Road Recycling Centre in Newton Abbot had been evacuated on 3 June after the explosive was discovered.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, cabinet member responsible for waste services, said the "avoidable incident" wasted time, adding "flares, fireworks or ammunition must never be brought to our recycling centres".

The authority said each incident required a response from emergency services and disrupted staff and residents using the facilities.

Ivybridge Recycling Centre was also evacuated in January after a tank shell was found, it added.

The council urged people to consider the items before taking them to recycling centres, particularly if they were "old, unlabelled, or could be mistaken for something hazardous".

"Taking simple precautions helps keep everyone safe," Hodgson said.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.