A father and his two sons have spoken of the moment they stumbled on a Second World War bomb on the beach, then saw smoke coming from it.

Oliver Tanton Brown and Sammy, eight, and five-year-old Jacob, were exploring Warren Beach in Folkestone yesterday around 1pm when they found the device.

The dad-of-two told KentOnline how he posted a photo on Facebook and a few people replied saying it might be a wartime bomb.

He then spotted a couple of passer-bys and asked them and they also indicated it might be a military device.

Shortly afterwards his son Jacob, who attends Hythe Bay school with his brother, said he could see smoke coming out of it.

Dad Oliver said: "I thought he was joking until I also noticed a small bit of dust like powder coming out of it when I poked my finger in the hole at the top.

"At this point, we decided it was all a bit dangerous and we buried it in the prickles and covered it up."

Watch as bomb squad detonates bomb found on Warren Beach. Video: Folkestone Coastguard

The family then fled for cover back to their car as the heavens opened up and the rain began to lash down.

In the car Oliver reshared the image of the device with his friend, who works for the coastguard, who immediately told them to phone in their find and let them know where it had been buried.

The bomb squad ended up being called out to East Wear Bay shortly after 1pm.

The device was assessed by an explosive ordnance disposal team and identified as a Second World War phosphorus mortar.

White phosphorus is a dangerous chemical which is often used for naval flares, but is capable of causing serious burns.

A cordon was put in place by the coastguard to keep people at a safe distance and the weapon was safely detonated.

Following the successful controlled explosion dad Oliver said it was definitely a day he and his two boys would never forget. "It was a crazy day," he added.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "The person who found it did exactly the right thing by calling it in to us.

"We’d rather it were called in and turn out not to be (harmful) than the other way around."

An MOD spokesperson said: “An Army EOD Team were called out to East Wear Bay to assist HM Coastguard with the routine disposal of ordnance.

“The device was rendered safe, by means of a controlled explosion, and recovered for subsequent safe disposal.

“Military personnel are regularly required to assist with the disposal of historic ordnance such as this, ensuring every situation is dealt with as quickly as possible for the safety of the general public.”

People who find suspected ammunition on the beach are advised not to touch or pick it up.

Instead you should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and if you can't stay nearby give a good description of where the item is or even better give an exact location on the what3words app .

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone