A bomb was detonated after it was discovered buried in a field and close to children's playing equipment.

A video captured the moment the device, believed to be a grenade from the First World War, was set off in a controlled explosion led by the army at The Appleyard Sports Ground in Sittingbourne.

Bowlers were forced to evacuate the green for three hours and the road was shut off while the area, close to The Appleyard Sports Bar, in Gore Court Road, was made safe.

The grenade was discovered by the facility's groundsmen as they prepared to plant laurels in the bar's gardens.

Police confirmed they were called at around 12.40pm and worked with with Ministry of Defence's bomb disposal team.

Manager Sarah White said: "The groundsman dug a hole and saw something which he thought was a cricket ball.

"He picked it up and then quickly threw it back down when he realised what he was holding."

Sarah said their first reaction was to call the police, who then summoned the army to carry out a controlled explosion.

She said: "Everyone had to be evacuated from the bowling green and we all had to stay well back. The road was even closed. It was so loud."

Sarah admitted the military discovery was particularly scary as the grenade was found right next to an area of ground which had previously been dug up to create a patio. It was also close to a children's playing area.

"It was frightening because the bomb was found right on the very edge of a patio we had built during lockdown," she said. "The diggers could have detonated it then."

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.