A Second World War bomb, discovered at a ragstone quarry in Kings Hill, has been detonated.

Police were called to Blaise Farm in Ashton Way just before 1.30pm yesterday after the explosive was unearthed by a worker carrying out excavations.

Around half a dozen members of staff were evacuated and a safety cordon put in place.

A Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal team carried out a controlled detonation shortly before 11am.

A spokesman said: "There are no safety concerns for the local vicinity; however it is possible that the explosion may be heard for a considerable distance and police would like to remind residents there is no cause for alarm."

The device has been confirmed to be a 50kg German Luftwaffe air dropped bomb.

Nick Yandle is chief executive of the Aylesford-based Gallagher Group which owns Blaise Farm and Hermitage quarries.

He said the bomb is believed to be an artillery shell. It is about 18 inches long and five inches in diameter.

"It was found by digger driver in the process of stripping the top soil," he said.

"The customers that would have been served from that quarry are being served from our Hermitage Lane quarry while this is being sorted out."

"Somebody said to me this morning if you are going to find a bomb a quarry is the best place to find it."

Blaise Farm became operational in 2001 under the management of Hanson, with Gallagher Group taking over in 2005.

The firm blasts with explosives several times a week.